Meghan Markle, now known as the Duchess of Sussex, has lived a life marked by transformation—actress, royal, entrepreneur, and advocate. As of 2025, she is 43 years old and has a combined net worth of $60 million with her husband, Prince Harry. Markle’s story is not just about fame or fortune—it’s about reinvention and carving out a public identity beyond royalty.
Early Life and Education
Born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, she is the only child of Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor, and Thomas Markle Sr., an award-winning television lighting director. Her parents divorced when she was six. Markle is of mixed-race heritage—her mother is African American, and her father is of white European descent.
She attended private schools in LA, including the Hollywood Little Red Schoolhouse and Immaculate Heart High School, before earning degrees in theater and international studies from Northwestern University in 2003. While in college, she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and spent time abroad studying global relations.
Climbing Hollywood’s Ladder
Before her acting breakthrough, Meghan worked various side jobs, including freelance calligraphy—even doing the wedding invitations for Paula Patton and Robin Thicke. Her first TV appearance came on General Hospital, followed by guest spots on shows like Fringe, CSI: NY, and Century City.
Markle’s big break arrived in 2011 when she was cast as Rachel Zane on the USA Network legal drama Suits. She held the role for seven seasons, reportedly earning $50,000 per episode, and eventually totaling over $4 million from the series. During her time on the show, she also appeared in films like Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me (earning $187,000), and Horrible Bosses.
From 2014 to 2017, Markle expanded her brand with The Tig, a lifestyle blog covering fashion, wellness, and travel. It attracted millions of followers before she shut it down after her engagement to Prince Harry. Around the same time, she partnered with Canadian retailer Reitmans, releasing two clothing collections that sold out rapidly. These ventures, alongside sponsorships, earned her about $80,000 per year.
Royal Transition and Global Attention
In 2016, Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public. They announced their engagement in November 2017 and married in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. With the marriage, she received multiple titles: Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel.
The couple has two children—Archie, born in May 2019, and Lilibet, born in June 2021. Meghan, once a private actress, became one of the most recognized public figures in the world practically overnight.
Stepping Back and Building Independently
In January 2020, Meghan and Harry made headlines again when they announced plans to step back from senior royal duties, citing the need for privacy and financial independence. The agreement allowed them to keep their titles but not use “His/Her Royal Highness” styles. They officially stepped down on March 31, 2020.
Post-royalty, Meghan and Harry quickly began establishing financial and creative autonomy. In September 2020, they signed a five-year production deal with Netflix reportedly worth $100 million, covering films, documentaries, and children’s content. In December 2020, they secured an $18 million podcast deal with Spotify. Although the Spotify partnership ended early in 2023, the Netflix agreement continues, with content produced under their Archewell Productions banner.
In April 2023, Markle signed with WME, the powerhouse talent agency, which now represents her public projects and the Archewell brand.
Real Estate and Investments
Using their newfound financial freedom, the couple purchased a $14.7 million estate in Montecito, California, in August 2020. They made a $5 million down payment and financed the rest. The 7-acre property is now their primary residence and serves as a base for much of their work and family life.
The couple also repaid $3 million previously used to renovate Frogmore Cottage, their former U.K. home, solidifying their separation from royal financial support.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Markle has consistently been active in charity and social causes, both before and after joining the royal family. She has worked with One Young World, United Nations Women, and World Vision Canada. As Duchess, her first solo project was “Together: Our Community Cookbook”, benefiting survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.
She and Prince Harry co-founded the Archewell Foundation in 2020, focusing on issues like mental health, environmental conservation, and racial equality. Their work with Elephants Without Borders, support for vaccination equity, and advocacy for gender equality continue to define their public roles.
In April 2023, Markle was honored with the Ms. Foundation for Women’s “Women of Vision” Award, recognizing her work in advancing equity and empowerment for women and girls.
Net Worth Breakdown
Markle’s individual pre-marriage net worth was estimated at $5 million, largely from acting and brand deals. Prince Harry brought an estimated $20 million from his royal trust and inheritance. Together, through real estate holdings, production contracts, and other business ventures, their joint net worth now sits around $60 million.