Thomas Markle is embracing a new chapter in his life after years of a strained relationship with his daughter, Meghan Markle.
The octogenarian, who has faced health struggles in recent years, has revealed his new relationship with a Philippines-based nurse whom he met during his rehabilitation.
While settling into life abroad, Markle still has plans to visit the United States one day with his partner. However, he has made it clear he does not intend to meet up with Meghan Markle, and that he still does not understand why she has cut off contact with him.
The Retired Hollywood Lighting Director Feels Truly Blessed To Find Love Again
Years after a painful estrangement from his daughter, Meghan, the actress’s father, Thomas Markle, has revealed that he has rediscovered “joy” and “happiness” in his life again at 81.
“I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age,” the retired Hollywood lighting director told the Daily Mail in an interview. “I am enjoying life again.”
His renewed sense of purpose follows major surgery in December that saw his lower left leg get amputated due to complications from a massive blood clot.
However, it is deeply tied to finding love in the care of a Philippines-based rehabilitation nurse, Rio Canedo. Their bond formed unexpectedly after he met the mother of two at a rehab center while navigating his recovery.
Their romance, according to Markle, has left him feeling “truly blessed,” especially as his new “special” love takes such “good care” of him.
Meghan Markle’s Father Doesn’t Mind That His Relationship May Face Criticism
Given the age gap between Markle and his lover, it was no surprise that he acknowledged that criticism may hit his new romance.
However, he remains unmoved and focused on his own happiness and has no issues sharing his story.
“I know some people will say hurtful things, but I don’t care,” Markle said. “I want to talk about this because I never thought I would ever be happy again.”
It is also his hope that people who had given up on love may see his story as a reason to keep their hopes alive.
“I want people to know you’re never too old to find peace and love,” he continued. “There’s a lot of negative things going on in the world, and if my story can give a little hope to one person, then I’m happy.”
“The haters will hate, but to be honest, I don’t give a damn. Life is for living. There’s nothing more important in life than love,” the 81-year-old further remarked.
Thomas Markle Revealed Why He Moved To The Philippines
Markle’s decision to live in the Philippines is tied to family tensions with his daughter, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, their relationship has remained strained, and he has not met her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Seeking distance and a fresh start, the octogenarian relocated in 2025.
His move was also influenced by a serious health setback in 2022, when he suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak for weeks.
Meghan Markle’s Father Says People In The Philippines Are ‘Kind To Each Other’
Markle has since regained his speech after his stroke and is now adjusting to life in his new surroundings.
The former lighting director had nothing but great things to say about life in the Philippines, noting that the people there treat each other kindly and, especially, have great respect for the elderly.
“The Philippines have a gentler way of life,” he shared. “I hardly watch the news. I live in a world where people are kind to each other. The nurses and doctors here in the Philippines are wonderful.”
“People here don’t have all the worldly goods we have in the West, but they respect and care for older people,” he added.
Thomas Markle Won’t Visit Meghan If He Returns To The U.S.
In the near future, Markle hopes to return to the U.S. with his lover to give her a glimpse into the life he lived during his Hollywood heydays.
“I would love to take Rio to Los Angeles and show her all the places in Hollywood where I worked for so many years,” he said.
However, when asked if he would drive up to Montecito to see his daughter, the duchess, Markle, who claimed not to have an idea why she cut him off, answered in the negative despite his strong desire to see his grandkids.
“No, I would never do that. What’s the point?” the octogenarian emphasized.
“I’d love to see my grandkids. It makes me sad that King Charles has only met Archie and Lilibet once or twice,” he continued.
For now, Markle remains only in communication with his son, Tom Markle Jr., and his other daughter, Samantha, whom he welcomed with his first wife, Roslyn Loveless.