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!).