This article was originally published on JustStarz
Meghan Markle was very much a celebrity before her relationship with Prince Harry, but it seems that since her rise and fall from royalty, people want to know more about her. What was her childhood like? Why is she estranged from most of her family? Did she and Prince Harry plan to leave the royal family even before the wedding? These are all questions people have been dying to know, and we want to provide answers. So buckle up as we shine some light on Meghan Markle's life.
Daddy's Girl From The Early Days
Born on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, Meghan Markle's parents were Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland. She shared a strong bond with her father, Thomas, which would go on to shape her journey and experiences as she eventually transitioned into the public eye. This close connection with her father played a significant role in her life's trajectory and her emergence as a public figure. But what exactly did he do?
Tom Markle worked in the entertainment industry as a lighting director and even won a few Emmy awards for his work. This would later help Meghan get her foot in the door in Hollywood.
Meghan Has A Half-Sister Who Is 17 Years Older
Meghan's father, Tom, had a previous marriage before tying the knot with Meghan's mother. From his first marriage, he had two children, one of whom is Samantha. Samantha, who is 17 years older than Meghan, reportedly had a distant relationship with her half-sister. Despite their family connection, their age gap and differing life paths contributed to a lack of closeness between them, as various reports have suggested and Meghan would explain later in life.
When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, Samantha told the press that she and Meghan do not keep in touch, and she was planning to write a tell-all book titled, The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister.
Mother-Daughter Time
Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, has played an integral role in her life. Meghan's early years are filled with precious moments, captured in photographs that show her sharing laughter and joy with her mother. It's clear that Meghan inherited her good looks from her mom, and their close relationship has undoubtedly been a source of love, strength, and shared beauty throughout Meghan's life. Her mom is often seen with her at public events, too!
Before proposing, Harry asked Doria's permission, and of course, she said yes. This was a sweet gesture, and her mom appreciated being included in the process.
Her Family Was Close When She Was A Child
In her formative years, Meghan enjoyed a close-knit family with two brothers and two half-siblings from her father's prior marriage. This tight family bond led to reservations when Meghan decided to marry into the British Royal Family. Given their closeness, Meghan's family had concerns about how this significant life change would impact her and the dynamics of their family unit. The transition into the royal sphere was met with both excitement and apprehension.
When she first went public with Prince Harry, her family and friends were concerned by the media storm she was being swept up into. They all had extreme opinions about her marriage.
Little Meghan And Her Baby Brother
In this snapshot, Meghan is pictured alongside her father, Tom, and her baby brother. Notably, before Meghan's birth, her father, Tom, struck luck by winning $750,000 in the lottery. This windfall had a profound and beneficial impact on their family, providing financial security and opportunities that greatly benefited Meghan and her loved ones in various ways. They would've never guessed they would strike luck like that, and their lives would change.
This money helped Meghan attend the best schools in LA and get the best training. She was always determined to pursue her dreams, and her parents wanted to help her reach those goals.
She Attended The Same School As Judy Garland And Elizabeth Taylor
Young Meghan was known for her perpetual smile that radiated joy. In this charming photograph from when she was six years old, she was a student at Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse. Notably, this school had a history of catering to young stars like Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor in the past. Meghan's early years were marked by her enthusiasm and, as we can see from the photo, her ever-present, radiant smile.
The school had a vegetable farm where students would help tend it, and they were used in school lunches. That seems like a boujee experience.
Meghan And Her Nephew
Due to the significant age gap with her half-siblings, Meghan found herself an aunt at a young age, as evident in this picture with her nephew. While she shared a close bond with her half-brother, her relationship with her half-sister, Samantha, was marked by publicized differences in opinion and choice of words used to describe Meghan. Their varying perspectives reflected the complexities within their family dynamic. Meghan was used to strained family dynamics from a young age.
Samantha called Meghan a "social climber who always had her sights set on becoming a princess." We don't know what happened between the two of them, but someone seems a bit jealous.
She Always Wanted To Be A Performer
Meghan's passion for the performing arts began at a young age. In this image, she stands on the far right, adorned with a shirt featuring a music note, all set for a school performance. Her early involvement in school shows was a testament to her budding enthusiasm for the world of performing arts, foreshadowing the remarkable journey that would lead her to become a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.
Most people who perform in their preschool plays do not go not to be international celebrities, but Markle is one of the exceptions.
She Started Fighting For What She Believed In Before She Was A Teenager
Even before Meghan gained her prominent platform, her commitment to equality was evident. At the age of 11, she was already attuned to gender bias when she watched a commercial for Ivory Soap stating, "women all over America are fighting against greasy pots and pans." This early awareness of gender stereotypes sparked her dedication to challenging such narratives and advocating for equal rights, a commitment that would define her future endeavors.
Meghan wrote a letter to Nick News and was featured on a segment because she led a campaign the change the phrasing of the Ivory Soap commercial.
Meghan Was Always Fond Of Doing Good Deeds
Meghan's dedication to community service began in her childhood and remains a core value in her life. Even as a child, her parents instilled in her the importance of giving back. They would take her to visit hospice patients and deliver Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Meghan's early experiences of compassion and service played a significant role in shaping her ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on her community.
Meghan also traveled to Jamaica and remote parts of the world with her mom to see how other people lived. It helped her to understand the privilege that she had as a child and molded her into the compassionate person she is today.
As A Kid She Loved A Good Snack
As a child, Meghan had a hearty appetite for snacks; what kid didn't? Perhaps she was honing her snacking skills in preparation for the future movie premieres, where they generously offer free popcorn, as depicted in this picture. Her youthful indulgence in tasty treats foreshadowed her eventual stardom and the delightful movie-going experiences that would come with it, complete with plenty of popcorn to savor during those exciting film events.
Markle looks like a cool '90s kid in this photo with her oversized Disney shirt, acid-wash jeans, and big hair. Since those trends are coming back into style, we wonder if she is recreating some of her childhood outfits today.
Popular Even In School
During her high school years, Meghan formed close bonds with numerous friends who held her in high regard. In this photograph, she shares a joyful moment with one of her childhood friends, both sporting radiant smiles for the camera. Meghan's ability to foster deep and lasting friendships during her formative years hints at the genuine and warm personality that would later make her a beloved figure in various circles when she was older.
Not only did she win homecoming queen, but Markle was also nominated for prom queen, but did not win. Her friends commented about how inspiring she was with her work for the UN and other philanthropic organizations.
Meeting Celebrities Since She Was Young
Meghan had the unique opportunity to visit the set of "Married with Children" due to her father's role as a lighting director on the show. During one of these visits, she captured a cherished moment in a photograph alongside Ted McGinley, the actor portraying Jefferson D'Arcy. This snapshot reflects Meghan's early exposure to the entertainment industry and her ability to make connections within the world of television, foreshadowing her future career.
Meghan loved to visit the sets her father was working on because she had always hoped to be the star of a TV show one day. It is a good thing she never gave up on those dreams.
Major Foreshadowing For The Rest Of Her Life
At the age of 15, Meghan and a friend embarked on a trip to Europe, which might have served as an early exploration of her future home. In this photograph, they strike a pose outside Buckingham Palace. Little did she know that her future husband might have been inside the palace at the same time. This snapshot captures a youthful adventure that would ultimately intertwine with her royal destiny in the near future.
Markle's friend, Ninaki Priddy, said she wasn't shocked by the engagement, and it was like Meghan had been planning this her whole life. Markle's first official trip to the palace was in December 2017.
Meghan's First Crown
Unlike most individuals who experience awkward phases during middle or high school, Meghan stood out as an exception. She achieved the distinction of homecoming queen, radiating beauty and grace in this picture. Her early recognition as a homecoming queen foreshadowed the charisma and charm that would later make her a celebrated figure, symbolizing the exceptional qualities that set her apart from the norm during her formative years. She was clearly always destined for fame!
Markle must have been preparing for the royal life when she ran for homecoming queen. We don't know her date's name, but he probably never imagined she would one day be actual royalty.
Her Dad Was Always Rooting For Her
It is unclear when their relationship started to deteriorate, but Meghan and her father Tom were still very close into her teen years. Her father was always doing whatever he could to support her hopes and dreams.
When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, Tom and Meghan's mother said, "We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person."
Off To College And Living The Sorority Life
Meghan attended Northwestern University, where she studied theatre and international studies. In 2003, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Meghan had an exciting college experience as she studied abroad and worked on many charity projects.
During college, Markle had an internship at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, and she studied for a semester in Madrid. She made the most out of her four years at school.
Meghan And A Mystery Man Celebrating Their Last Days Of College
We don't know who this lucky man is, but this photo was taken as she and her friends were celebrating their college graduation in 2003.
During her undergrad, Meghan started taking small acting roles, but she didn't get her big break till she was cast in Suits in 2011.
Meghan's Las Vegas Adventure
After graduated from Northwestern, Meghan wanted a little adventure before jumping into the working world. Her friend Ninaki Priddy and Meghan decided to plan a cross-country road trip.
The girls started in Chicago and headed towards California. They stopped for a few days in Las Vegas, where they took this picture on a night out.
Meghan Loved To Party
While she was studying at Northwestern, Meghan was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She was well-liked by her sorority sisters because wherever she went she had a special charm that attracted people to her.
Like her husband, Meghan enjoyed a good party in college. Like most college students, Markle had a fake ID to get into various clubs in the area.
Dreaming Of Becoming A Princess
Although this was for a theatre production in college, Meghan looks like she was preparing for her future days as a princess. She tried to do many school productions so she could perfect her acting skills.
In her early days as a struggling actress, Meghan also used her calligraphy skills to make money doing freelance work. She even did the wedding invitations for Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding.
Deal Or No Deal Days
If you were a fan of the game show Deal or No Deal, you might remember a younger Meghan as one of the briefcase girls. She was on 34 episodes of the show for several years.
Markle said she would do this show while she was auditioning to make ends meet. She went from working at the US embassy in Argentina to taking the part on Deal or No Deal. It was a learning experience for her to learn what she really wanted to do.
A Lot Like Love
One of Markle's earliest acting gigs was the 2005 film A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. She shared the screen with Kutcher as they board a plane where the main characters meet.
Although the role was small, she made the most of it, and got to work with the handsome Ashton Kutcher in the process.
Embracing Her Mixed Heritage
Meghan comes from a mixed-race family. Her mother is African-American and her father is of Irish descent. She has always been proud of her mixed-race ancestry and multicultural background, and it attributes to her uniquely beautiful appearance.
Markle said in an interview that she has come to embrace her heritage on both sides, and she is a confident mixed-race woman. She is not only comfortable in her own skin, but she wants others to feel the same as well.
Advocating For Racial Equality
Markle has been outspoken about the issue of retouching more ethnic-looking features to make them look less African-American. She is an advocate for racial equality, and this issue frustrates her often.
One thing Markle noticed is that people will photoshop her skin tone or remove her freckles. Her father once told her that a face without freckles is like a night without stars.
Beauty And Brains
When Meghan was young, her mother set a strong example for her education because she finished college and earned a Master's degree in social work.
Markle's parents wanted her to follow in her mother's footsteps and earn a college degree, so they put her in the best private schools. Her mother, who is now a therapist and yoga instructor, was very pleased with everything Meghan accomplished in school.
Working Around The World
Markle's degree in international relations prepared her for a future of traveling around the world doing philanthropy. Before she knew she would be marrying into the Royal family, Meghan was trying to work her way into the acting industry.
She didn't take the typical route of bartending or waitressing, but instead, she used her calligraphy skills to support herself in between acting jobs.
Staying Stylish On A Budget
Besides acting and advocating for important organizations, Markle has also broken into the fashion world. She created her own fashion line that wouldn't break the bank because she knew how hard it was to find fashionable clothing at an affordable price.
Markle stated that she was the girl who would run out of gas on her way to auditions, and it was hard to find cute clothes in her budget. She wants anything with her name on it to be something she would also wear, so she is very involved in the process.
Meghan Has Always Been A Feminist
Meghan has always been a strong feminist. She has spoken many times since she was young about feminism and condemned those who criticize her for being an actress and model.
Markle advocates that you can look good and still stand up for the equality of women. Her beauty and brains have have helped her deal with the Royal family.
She Wants To See More Women In Politics
Not only is Meghan a feminist, but she also wants to see more women in politics. Markle said that women need a seat at the table because there can not be change without the inclusion of a woman's opinion.
Recently, she announced that she has her own political aspirations. Will we see Meghan running for President anytime soon?
She Was Not The First American Princess
While many assume Markle is the first American to marry into the Royal family, she is actually the second. The first American was Grace Kelly, who married Prince Rainer of Monaco.
Like Meghan, Grace Kelly retired from acting once she became a royal. However, now that Harry and Meghan have left the Royal family, she hopes to get new acting jobs.
Meeting A Prince On A Blind Date
Did you know that Prince Harry and Meghan met on a blind date set up by one of her friends? We need to find friends with connections like that!
The pair hit it off immediately because they share a love of philanthropy, traveling, and using their voices to benefit the world. Markle sees it as her responsibility to use her fame to do good in the world.
She Changed Her Name For Show Business
Most people do not know that Meghan Markle changed her name when she got into the acting business. Her original name was Rachel Meghan Markle, but she dropped her first name to make it sound better.
Rachel is a beautiful name, but we can't imagine Meghan being called Rachel Markle, now that we are so used to her current name.
Controversial Family Member
While Meghan presents a perfect picture to the public of a woman who can speak her mind and gives back to the world, her family has some dark secrets.
Markle's older half-brother, Tom Jr., got into a drunken altercation, and he was arrested for pointing a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
Major Family Drama
There is more Markle family drama, especially with her half-sister Samantha. Her half-brother Tom has been extremely supportive of Meghan's relationship with Harry since the beginning, but not everyone is on board.
Samantha has multiple sclerosis, and she claims that since the diagnosis, Meghan has distanced herself even further from the family. Samantha's illness made her wheelchair-bound, and it has been difficult for her entire family.
Being Portrayed In A Negative Light
Ever since Markle's half-sister said she was going to write a tell-all book, people have questioned if Meghan was this evil sister. Samantha tried to get in between Meghan and Harry, but their relationship is too strong for silly rumors to affect it.
Samantha has also accused her sister of pretending to care about women in poverty as a publicity stunt, but her actions say otherwise.
Would Her Family Ruin Her Chances At Royalty?
In the early stages of their relationship, Meghan was hiding a scandalous secret from the Royal family. Her niece is a satanist and Nazi sympathizer. Her niece went so far as to change her name to Hitler.
Markle's niece wrote a letter that declared her as the leader of the Nazi organization, and her soul belonged to the devil. This could have been a breaking point for Harry, but they grew stronger from this incident.
Her Early Party Days
Meghan has called herself a "brash American" on many occasions, and she owns who she is. Back in her college years, she enjoyed going out and partying like any other university student.
Although Harry also went through his party phase, the royal family was not thrilled to find out about Markle's past when they were introduced to her.
Copying Kate's Royal Style
On many occasions, Meghan and Harry's relationship has been compared to Kate and William. Kate is in the good graces of the queen, so it would only make sense for Meghan to copy her style in hopes that the queen would like her.
Besides style, Meghan also has a nude photo scandal in common with Kate Middleton. Both of them have had nude photos released, but it seems the queen has been harsher on Meghan than she was with Kate.
Her Past Has Come Back To Haunt Her
Besides her nude photo scandal, many of Meghan's skeletons have come out of the closet to haunt her. Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, she was married to Trevor Engelson.
The royals were displeased that she had been married before, and they didn't like that she was an actress. Harry did not care about her past; he was only concerned with their future.
Famous Gal Pals
Throughout her career, Meghan has formed strong bonds with many big names in Hollywood including Serena Williams and Priyanka Chopra.
There have been rumors that the "mystery friend" who introduced Meghan and Harry was Priyanka Chopra. Does she have any special men for us?
The Couple Is Going Strong
On November 27, 2017, Harry and Meghan announced the incredible news that they were engaged. Less than a year later, the world watched as the couple tied the knot in front of England's most influential people.
They now have a son who recently turned one, named Archie. The couple made the difficult decision to give up their royal titles so they could be relieved of their duties. They now live in LA and are dealing with the fallout from leaving the royals.
What's Next?
The Queen's recent death was hard on the Royal Family, and Meghan and Harry were no exception. Here you can see Meghan mourning her Majesty at the funeral. With such a big change in the royal family, people are interested to know what's next for the Sussexes. Will they step back in and carry out royal duties? Or continue to live outside of the spotlight. With Harry not far down in the line of succession, decisions will have to be made.
We know that whatever's next for Meghan, she'll do what's right for her and her family. In the meantime, she's still working to change the world with or without a tiara.