Thomas Markle, 81, was taken ill at home on Tuesday and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in intensive care – he has not spoke to Meghan for years after a fall-out
All you need to know about Meghan Markle’s dad in intensive care as ‘strain of it all’ catches up with him
- Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was rushed to a hospital in the Philippines and is currently receiving care in the intensive unit. He took gravely ill at his home on Tuesday, and doctors initially advised his family that his life was in imminent danger.
- The 81-year-old subsequently underwent an emergency surgery that lasted around three hours after his rapid admittance to the larger medical facility. Reports indicate that he is now scheduled for a follow-up procedure to successfully address and remove a blood clot.
- This health crisis is the latest in a series of medical incidents for Mr. Markle, who suffered a massive stroke in 2022 that temporarily left him unable to speak. His history of poor health also includes two heart attacks he suffered just days before his daughter’s royal wedding in 2018.
- Markle has been completely estranged from his daughter, Meghan, since her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry following a string of public interviews and incidents. As a result of this deep estrangement, he has never met his grandchildren, six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet.
- His son, Thomas Jr., confirmed the severity of the situation and made a public plea asking for global thoughts and prayers for his father’s survival. Thomas Jr. also urged Meghan to show “some compassion” for her father, who he stated is “literally fighting for his life.”
- Earlier this year, Markle moved to the Philippines, partially to escape the persistent media scrutiny and constant reminders of his difficult relationship with his daughter. His other daughter, Samantha, commented that she believes the substantial stress and emotional strain of the past few years have significantly contributed to his present fragile state. Full story here
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