This article discusses allegations of domestic violence.
For years, the ongoing conflict between Meghan Markle and her half-sister, Samantha Markle, has captured public attention. Samantha has often been viewed unfavorably due to her controversial actions, including suing Meghan and admitting to seeking profit from her fame. Despite this, Samantha has faced numerous challenges throughout her life. She is the daughter of Thomas Markle Sr. and his first wife, Roslyn, and has battled health issues since childhood.
During her teenage years, Samantha suffered a serious injury from a swing fall, resulting in temporary paralysis on one side and loss of sight in one eye. Her recovery was challenging and caused her to miss significant school time. Later, symptoms led to her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which wasn’t confirmed until her early 40s when she became wheelchair-bound due to leg weakness related to the disease.
In addition to her health struggles, Samantha’s family relationships are strained. She has three children but is largely disconnected from them, with her youngest accusing her of abusive behavior, a claim supported by Samantha’s estranged mother. Moreover, Samantha has alleged domestic violence from her long-term partner, and has faced financial difficulties, including bankruptcy. Clearly, she has encountered a multitude of adversities.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Since her youth, Samantha Markle has battled severe health issues. After grappling with symptoms in her teenage years, she was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 43. This condition impacts the central nervous system and can lead to various symptoms, including leg numbness that can hinder mobility.
While some individuals with the condition may experience mild symptoms, Samantha’s situation has been extreme, resulting in significant loss of mobility. In a 2021 interview with Fox 35, she expressed how her health struggles have shaped her life. Samantha typically avoids discussing her condition as she prefers not to let it define her. Nonetheless, she feels that her sister, Meghan, missed opportunities to raise awareness regarding disability issues, especially during public events.
In 2017, she mentioned on the radio show “Hughesy and Kate” that Meghan could have used her platform to advocate for the disabled community. Samantha has also expressed disappointment that Meghan has not tried to reach out to her despite her being in a wheelchair. “I wasn’t going to say: ‘Oh, you should phone your sister in a wheelchair more,'” she stated in a 2024 interview with the Daily Mail.
High School Challenges and Resilience
Samantha’s high school experience was disrupted by a significant injury. While in her teens, she suffered a fall from a rope swing, leading to serious injuries such as temporary blindness and paralysis, as stated in her 2022 defamation lawsuit against Meghan Markle (via Reason). The lengthy recovery process forced her to pause her education, but she remained determined to complete her studies.
Ultimately, she did complete high school and pursued further education, focusing on criminology and psychology at the University of New Mexico, demonstrating her commitment and resilience despite the obstacles she faced.
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LinkedIn. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Samantha pursued a Master’s degree in mental health and vocational rehabilitation counseling, aiming to assist others with disabilities like herself. In her biography, she mentioned, “This prompted me to reassess my talents, interests, and how I could aid others.”
A photograph from her college graduation has sparked controversy concerning her relationship with Meghan. Samantha uses it to counter Meghan’s assertion during her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview that they had not communicated for nearly twenty years. “My graduation year of 2008 clearly shows this, and anyone with a calculator knows that it’s not been 19 years,” Samantha stated on “Newstalk ZB” in New Zealand (as reported by Yahoo!).
Samantha Markle’s Family Estrangement
Samantha is a mother to three children but lacks a close bond with any of them. Her two oldest, Ashleigh and Christopher Hale, were primarily raised by their grandparents, Thomas Markle Sr. and Roslyn Markle, after being placed into their custody at a young age. “I was likely around two when they adopted us. They were my parents,” Ashleigh shared in the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan” (via Harper’s Bazaar).
According to Ashleigh, who has a close relationship with Meghan Markle, they preferred their grandparents’ care over that of their mother. Samantha’s youngest, Noel Rasmussen, also maintains distance from her mother and even supports Meghan. “Samantha only seemed to take an interest in Meghan once she started dating Prince Harry,” she stated to the Daily Mail in 2018. Like her siblings, Noel also spent time living with her grandmother.
Additionally, Samantha has severed ties with her mother, Roslyn, due to disagreements over her parenting. Roslyn accused Samantha of mistreating her granddaughter Noel, remarking, “‘That is my daughter and I’ll raise her as I see fit; I’m not abusing her,'” she recounted to the Daily Mail, regarding her attempts to help Noel.
Samantha Markle’s Financial Struggles
Despite her education and experience in broadcasting, similar to her father Thomas Markle Sr., Samantha has encountered significant financial challenges. Following her divorce from Scott Rasmussen, she declared bankruptcy in 2003. There is a noteworthy gap in her LinkedIn profile of job activity from 1998 to 2005, which implies she likely did not work during her second marriage as she was focused on her studies. The end of this marriage and educational expenses might have led to her financial turmoil.
The public feud with Meghan Markle has also allegedly cost her work as a mental health counselor. In a lawsuit, Samantha stated Meghan’s defamatory remarks led to “real losses in potential job opportunities, decreased income from her autobiography sales, and significant emotional distress,” referencing her 2021 book, “The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister” (as noted by Us Weekly).
However, the court ruled in favor of Meghan in this case. Samantha’s lawsuit followed her admission of profiting from her sister’s notoriety. “Honestly, we all need to make a living. Money makes the world go around. If that means cashing in, then so be it. But no one in media would refuse an opportunity to discuss the royals,” she stated on “Good Morning Britain” in 2018, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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Samantha Markle’s partner faces domestic violence charges
Samantha Markle’s relationship with her boyfriend Mark Phillips has been marked by conflict. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Phillips was arrested in December 2020 for domestic violence after an altercation at their home in Florida. This incident reportedly escalated after Markle, who has difficulties with her lower body strength, asked him for assistance in getting up from the toilet, leading to an accusation that he struck her in the face.
After leaving the residence, Phillips was later taken into custody. This was not the first incident involving law enforcement; previous altercations had been reported during their time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before relocating to Florida in 2016. At least one incident was related to domestic violence. Samantha’s ex-husband, Scott Rasmussen, also claimed that Phillips harassed their daughter, Noel, during their custody dispute, including threats made via text.
One alleged threat stated, “Perjury is a serious charge and you will not lie or you will be charged and granny as well.” In a joint interview with Roslyn Markle for the Daily Mail, Noel expressed that her mother’s abusive tendencies increased after Phillips moved in. She described Phillips as initially having a good temper but noted, “He had gotten violent a few times if I’d refused to do something. I was more scared of him, honestly.” Noel eventually left to live with her father at 16, citing the dangerous environment.
For anyone experiencing domestic abuse, it’s essential to reach out for help. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or visit their website for resources and support.
Sophia Michaels
