Before royal titles, red carpets, and millions of fans, Meghan Markle was just a young girl in Los Angeles, wondering where she truly belonged. Born to a Black mother and a white father, Meghan often felt caught between worlds — not quite eligible for the identity one might expect.
Raised on microwave dinners and television shows, she described herself as a “latchkey kid,” coming home to an empty house while her parents worked long hours. Her mother, Doria Ragland, was a makeup artist, and her father, Thomas Markle Sr., worked in television.
“I grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners… that was normal,” Meghan said. Yet, public scrutiny and assumptions about her family left a deep mark. Many people assumed she was white, leading to awkward questions about her mother. Doria recalled being mistaken for Meghan’s nanny while out in public, a moment that left a lasting impression.
After her parents separated, Meghan lived with both until age nine, then primarily with her father while her mother pursued her career. Despite challenges, she found support in a community of women near her mother’s home, who helped guide her through adolescence. “She was always so easy to get along with, congenial, making friends… a very empathic and mature child,” Doria said.
Meghan admitted, “I was not the pretty one. I was a big nerd growing up. My identity was wrapped up in being the smart one.” Even small luxuries, like a $4.99 salad bar, felt special. Her father’s lottery win helped open doors to better schools and opportunities, and by age 13, Meghan had begun exploring acting while hanging around her father’s work sets.
