10 Surprising Facts About Meghan Markle
We all know her as a Duchess, an actress, and a global changemaker, but how much do we really know about the woman behind the headlines? From her early days in Hollywood to her time in international relations, Meghan Markle’s path has been anything but ordinary.
Whether you’re a long-time admirer or just curious, here are 10 facts that offer a glimpse into the life of Meghan Markle.
1. Her First Name is Actually Rachel
While the world knows her as Meghan, her birth name is actually Rachel Meghan Markle. She has used her middle name, Meghan, since she was a child.
2. An Age Gap of Three Years
Meghan was born on August 4, 1981, while Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. This makes Meghan roughly three years older than her husband.
3. A Trailblazing Lifestyle Blogger
Before it became a common celebrity venture, Meghan founded and ran her own successful lifestyle blog, The Tig. Named after her favorite wine, Tignanello, the site served as a hub for her thoughts on food, travel, fashion, and beauty.
4. A Scholar of Many Talents
Meghan attended Northwestern University, where she earned a degree with a double major in theater and international studies.
5. An Internship at the U.S. Embassy
During her senior year of college, Meghan took an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She spent time there during a period of significant economic crisis, an experience that gave her a unique, front-row seat to international affairs.
6. A Skilled Calligrapher
Before finding her breakthrough role on the hit show Suits, Meghan supported herself as a freelance calligrapher. Her talent was so well-regarded in Hollywood that she even wrote the invitations for the wedding of Robin Thicke and Paula Patton.
7. Early Activism
Meghan’s commitment to social change started young. At the age of 11, she successfully campaigned to have a national commercial’s sexist language changed, demonstrating her early passion for gender equality.
8. Her Time as a "Briefcase Girl"
Early in her career, Meghan worked as a "briefcase girl" on the popular game show Deal or No Deal. While she was grateful for the steady paycheck, she later shared that the role often felt objectifying and didn't allow her to showcase her true potential.
9. Fluent in Spanish
Meghan’s time spent living and interning in Argentina left a lasting mark—she is fluent in Spanish. She has even been heard putting these language skills to use at public events, once at a royal engagement and greeting polo players.
10. A Hollywood Childhood
Meghan grew up in the heart of the industry. Her father, Thomas Markle, was an Emmy Award-winning lighting director who worked on the set of Married... with Children. She spent much of her childhood on the set, surrounded by the world of television production.