Last updated on: November 27, 2025
Thomas Markle Sr. is Meghan Markle’s father, the Duchess of Sussex. He is well-known because of his long career in Hollywood and further because of his connection to the British royal family. Thomas is also in the news for his complicated relationship with Meghan. His life story includes success, family struggles, and many public moments.
Quick Facts About Thomas Markle
| Full Name | Thomas Wayne Markle Sr. |
| Birthdate | July 18, 1944 |
| Age | 81 years and 4 months old |
| Birthplace | Newport, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Lighting Director & Director of Photography (Television Industry) |
| Education | High school graduate |
| Father | Gordon Arnold Markle |
| Mother | Doris May Rita (née Sanders) |
| Siblings | Michael Markle (Brother), Frederick Markle (Brother) |
| Husband/Wife | Roslyn Loveless/Markle (m. 1964–div. 1975) & Doria Ragland (m. 1979–div. 1987) |
| Children | Samantha Markle, Thomas Markle Jr., and Meghan Markle |
| Grandchildren | Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten‑Windsor |
| Religion | Raised Anglican Christian |
| Ethnicity | German & English ancestry |
| Residence | Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico |
| Net worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Background
Thomas Wayne Markle Sr. was born on July 18, 1944, in Newport, Pennsylvania, the United States to his parents, Doris May Rita and Gordon Arnold Markle. He is of German and English ancestry. His family brought him up under the Anglican Christian traditions. Thomas grew up in a simple home before he began working in the entertainment industry.
He has two older brothers, Michael and Frederick, also known as Dismas F. Markle. They all grew up in Pennsylvania before Thomas later moved to California for work.
Career in Television
Thomas Markle chose a career in Hollywood. He was a lighting director and became a director of photography. His job was one of the most important ones on the sets of many television series.
He worked on famous shows, such as the highly popular soap opera General Hospital and the well-known sitcom Married… with Children. His work in the TV world commanded much respect.
Thomas even won big awards. He garnered two Daytime Emmy Awards in 1982 and 2011 for his sterling work with General Hospital. In 1975, he also won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for another show. These multiple awards were testaments to how skilled and talented he was in his craft.
She frequently visited film sets as a child. Meghan credited watching her dad on set for helping her learn about the craft of acting and how the business worked.
Family and Relationships
Thomas has been married twice.
His first marriage was to Roslyn Loveless, later Roslyn Markle. The couple was married from 1964 to 1975. They had two children:
Samantha Markle (born 1964)
Thomas Markle Jr. (born 1966)
In 1979, he married Doria Ragland, who later became Meghan’s mother. They welcomed their daughter:
Rachel Meghan Markle (born August 4, 1981)
Thomas and Doria separated when Meghan was very young. In 1987, they divorced amicably. Meghan spent time with both her mother and father at one point or another while growing up.
Thomas has three children and several grandchildren.
Connection With Meghan Markle
Thomas and Meghan once had a very close relationship. Meghan said she was a “daddy’s girl.” They did spend time together, and he supported her dreams.
Many years later, their relationship took a different turn. Thomas found himself in the middle of a paparazzi photo scandal before Meghan’s royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Shortly after, he announced he had undergone heart surgery and would not be able to attend. He was supposed to walk Meghan down the aisle, so this was a moment full of emotion.
Since that incident, their relationship got worse. Thomas gave numerous interviews to the media about Meghan and her life. All this drove them further apart. He has never met Prince Harry or his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.
READ ALSO: Meghan Markle Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Where He Lives Now
Thomas Markle has lived in Rosarito, Mexico, for years. He likes a quiet life, far from Hollywood. However, the media is also following him because from time to time, he speaks about Meghan and the royal family. Some people feel sorry for him, but others also believe that he should keep these family issues private. The image in the public eye of him is mixed.
Ancestry and Interesting Facts
Thomas has deep family roots; his ancestors came from Germany and England. There are even distant connections with historical figures, including King Edward III of England. Therefore, Meghan and her children have royal links in both sides of their family. Once, in 1990, he won almost $750,000 in the California state lottery. Some reports say he used part of that money to help pay for Meghan’s education.
