Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. She is an American member of the British royal family, a former actress, and an advocate for social causes. Meghan is the daughter of Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor, and Thomas Markle Sr., a retired television lighting director. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother. Meghan has a diverse heritage, with her mother being African American and her father of Dutch-Irish descent.

Meghan pursued her education at Northwestern University, where she earned a degree in theater and international studies. After graduating in 2003, she embarked on a career in acting. Her breakthrough role came when she was cast as Rachel Zane in the legal drama series *Suits*, where she appeared for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018. Alongside her acting career, Meghan was also involved in humanitarian work, serving as an advocate for gender equality with the United Nations and working with World Vision to promote clean water initiatives in Rwanda.

In 2016, Meghan's life took a significant turn when she began dating Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, a member of the British royal family. Their relationship quickly attracted global attention due to Meghan's background, as she was a divorced American actress with biracial heritage. Despite intense media scrutiny and public interest, the couple got engaged in November 2017. On May 19, 2018, they were married at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and Meghan was bestowed the title of Duchess of Sussex.

Following their marriage, Meghan and Harry's life in the public eye continued to be a source of fascination and controversy. Meghan was praised for her modern approach to royal duties, but she also faced significant criticism and scrutiny, particularly from the British tabloid press. In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. This move, often referred to as "Megxit," led to their relocation to the United States, where they now reside in California.

Since stepping down from royal duties, Meghan and Harry have become involved in various media and philanthropic ventures. They signed multi-million-dollar deals with companies like Netflix and Spotify to produce documentaries, series, and podcasts. Meghan also published a children's book, *The Bench*, in 2021, which was inspired by her relationship with Prince Harry and their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born in 2019. In June 2021, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

Meghan continues to be an advocate for social justice, mental health awareness, and gender equality. Her outspokenness on these issues has garnered both support and criticism. In March 2021, Meghan and Prince Harry gave a revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they discussed their struggles with the royal institution and Meghan’s experience with mental health issues, race, and the media. This interview reignited debates about the role of race in the British media's treatment of Meghan and led to widespread discussion about the future of the monarchy.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meghan,_Duchess_of_Sussex