A man who once proudly referred to himself as the father of the future Duchess of Sussex is now fighting for his life in an intensive care unit — a devastating turn that has reopened painful questions and intense public scrutiny over a family estrangement that has dragged on for years.
Thomas Markle Sr., the long-estranged father of Meghan Markle, was rushed to a hospital in the Philippines on December 2, 2025. As the 81-year-old struggles to survive, his son has issued a heartfelt plea for kindness, while his daughter’s silence has become the focal point of growing criticism.
A Declining Condition Over the Years
Thomas Sr.’s daughter, Samantha Markle, believes years of emotional strain from the family fallout have made her father even more vulnerable. Still, she told the Daily Mail that he remains determined and hopeful for recovery.
His health issues have been significant and ongoing. In 2018, he suffered two heart attacks just before Meghan’s royal wedding—an incident that prevented him from traveling from Los Angeles to Windsor.
That absence is what led King Charles to escort Meghan down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel, a gesture Thomas Sr. described as a “gracious and kind” act for which he would be “forever in debt.”
Since then, he has endured even more setbacks. He survived an earthquake and later suffered a 2022 stroke that temporarily robbed him of his speech. Therapy helped him regain some of his voice, but his overall health has steadily deteriorated.
Tragically, he has never met his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. With his condition worsening, Thomas Jr. fears time may be running out.
“My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life,” he told the Daily Mail.
Silence from Meghan, Outrage from the Public
While the emergency unfolded, the Duchess of Sussex has remained publicly silent. Instead, she posted a promotional clip on Wednesday for “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” a holiday-themed installment of her Netflix lifestyle series centered on cooking, crafting, gardening, and celebrity guests.
Her lack of acknowledgement immediately caught public attention.
“It’s all with love from meghan but obviously doesn’t apply to her father 😂,” one commenter wrote.
Another said bluntly, “And meg could not care less about him.”