Meghan Markle was born on August 4, 1981 at West Park Hospital in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California. She identifies as mixed race, often answering questions about her background with “My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African American. I’m half black and half white.”
She married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, on May 19, 2018. The wedding took place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. After departing from the Royal Family, both live in California with their two children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.
While many aspects of Meghan’s life have been widely covered in the media, here are 15 lesser-known facts about the Suits star:
- Early Career: Before her acting career took off, Meghan worked as a freelance calligrapher to support herself. She even wrote wedding invitations for clients like Paula Patton and Robin Thicke.
- Biracial Background: Meghan Markle is biracial, with a Caucasian father and an African American mother. She has been an advocate for racial equality and has spoken out about her experiences with racism.
- UN Women Ambassador: In 2015, Meghan Markle became a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada, focusing on gender equality and clean water campaigns. She later became a UN Women Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership.
- Degree in Theater: Meghan has a degree in theater from Northwestern University’s School of Communication, which highlights her early interest in acting.
- Blog Founder: Meghan Markle founded a lifestyle blog called “The Tig,” where she shared her insights on food, fashion, travel, and more. She shut down the blog in 2017 after her relationship with Prince Harry became more serious.
- Studied Abroad: During college, Meghan studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she perfected her Spanish language skills.
- Volunteer Work: She volunteered in soup kitchens and did charity work from a young age, instilled by her parents’ emphasis on giving back to the community.
- Businesswoman: Meghan co-founded a women’s clothing line, “The Reitmans Collection,” in collaboration with the Canadian retailer Reitmans. The collection included items designed for professional women.
- Foodie: Meghan has a passion for food and cooking. She has shared recipes and cooking tips on her former blog, “The Tig.”
- Name Change: Meghan’s full birth name is Rachel Meghan Markle. She began using her middle name, Meghan, at an early age.
- Involvement with Charities: Meghan has been involved with several charitable organizations, including One Young World, which focuses on empowering young leaders for positive change.
- Early TV Roles: Before her breakout role in “Suits,” Meghan appeared in a variety of TV shows, including small parts in “General Hospital,” “CSI:
Miami ,” and “90210.” - Call of Duty: Meghan did voiceover work for the video game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” in 2011.
- Fashion Line for a Cause: In collaboration with a Canadian retailer, Meghan launched a fashion line that supported the charity Smart Works, which helps women find employment by providing professional attire and coaching.
- Wedding Bouquet Tribute: Meghan’s wedding bouquet included forget-me-nots, which were Princess Diana’s favorite flowers, as a way to honor Prince Harry’s late mother.