Last updated on: November 27, 2025
Doria Ragland is best known as the mother of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. She is calm, kind, and strong. Many people admire her for staying true to herself, even when the world is watching. Her life story shows love, hard work, and courage.
Quick Facts About Doria Ragland
| Full Name | Doria Loyce Ragland |
| Birthdate | September 2, 1956 |
| Age | 69 years and 3 months old |
| Occupation | Social Worker, Yoga Instructor, Former Makeup Artist, CEO of Senior-Care Firm |
| Husband/Wife | Ex-husband: Thomas Markle Sr. (m. 1979 – div. 1987) |
| Education | Master of Social Work (MSW) – University of Southern California |
| Parents | Mother: Jeanette Arnold; Father: Alvin Azell Ragland |
| Siblings | Two maternal half-siblings (Joseph “JJ” & Saundra Johnson) and one paternal half-brother Alvin Joffrey Ragland |
| Children | Daughter: Meghan Markle (born 1981) |
| Net Worth | Estimated around USD $850,000 (as of 2025) |
Early Life
Doria Loyce Ragland was born on September 2, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is of African American descent. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was still a baby. She grew up in California and lives in the state currently.
Her mother, Jeanette Arnold, was a nurse; her father, Alvin Azell Ragland, was an antique and secondhand dealer. Doria also has half siblings from her parents’ previous relationships.
Meeting Thomas Markle and Becoming a Mom
In the late 1970s, Doria worked as a makeup artist. She was on the set of the soap opera General Hospital. There, she met Thomas Markle Sr., a lighting director. They fell in love and got married in 1979.
Two years later, they gave birth to their daughter, Meghan Markle, who was born in 1981. Doria and Thomas were, at first, happy but their relationship changed with time. They divorced in 1987. Meghan spent most of her time with her mother. She also paid frequent visits to her father. Doria always struggled hard to provide Meghan with a safe home and loving environment.
Education and Career
Doria tried different jobs throughout her life. She worked as:
A makeup artist
A travel agent
A yoga instructor
She was quite concerned with serving others, so she went back to school to study social work. She attended the University of Southern California, earning a Master of Social Work degree. She then became a licensed social worker. Most of her time was spent working with the elderly and providing care support to families.
In 2020, she became the chief executive officer of a senior-care company called Loving Kindness Senior Care Management based in Beverly Hills, showing how much passion she has for serving her community.
Personality and Interests
People close to Doria describe her as warm and caring. She loves yoga, hiking, and taking her dogs on walks. She likes to live simply. Although her daughter is now famous, Doria values her own privacy. She enjoys living quietly in her Los Angeles neighborhood.
Meghan has mentioned that her mother is an inspiration to her. She taught Meghan to enjoy cooking, reading, and going outdoors. She also helped Meghan learn to stand up for what is right. Doria once subscribed to a magazine called Ms., which was about women’s rights. This influenced Meghan’s passion for equality.
Role in Meghan’s Life and the Royal Family
Doria is very close to Meghan. She has supported her through many big moments. When Meghan married Prince Harry in 2018, Doria was right by her side. She rode with Meghan to the chapel and met members of the royal family with grace and confidence.
She is the doting grandmother of Meghan and Harry’s children:
Prince Archie (born 2019)
Princess Lilibet “Lili” Diana (2021)
She helped care for Meghan and the babies after their births. She stays near them in California and visits quite often.
But she did appear in a few public events when it was deemed necessary, in the documentary “Harry & Meghan” where she spoke about being under constant scrutiny.
READ ALSO: Meghan Markle Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
A Quiet Strength
Doria Ragland commands respect for her dignity. She stands up for her daughter, never seeking the limelight. She has a life and career all her own. She proves that kindness and patience can outshine the spotlight. These days, she enjoys peace, family time, and the joy of being a grandmother. Her story reminds us that love and support are powerful gifts a parent can give to their child.
