Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, has been hospitalized and rushed into intensive care after falling seriously ill at his home in the Philippines. According to his son, Thomas Jr., the 81-year-old was taken to a local hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 2, before undergoing a three-hour emergency operation on Thursday, Dec. 4. He is now recovering in intensive care and is expected to undergo another surgery to remove a blood clot.
Thomas Jr., who spoke to the Daily Mail, said doctors warned that his father’s “life was in imminent danger” after initial scans. He explained that medical staff “raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the centre of the city,” where Thomas Sr. received urgent treatment.
He urged people around the world to keep his father in their thoughts as he continues his health battle. Thomas Sr. has faced numerous medical challenges over the past several years, including two heart attacks shortly before Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry and a major stroke in 2022 that left him unable to speak for months.
Thomas’ daughter Samantha said she believes the stress of recent years has taken a toll on their father. “He is a strong man, but he has been through so much. I am praying that he is strong enough to survive this,” she shared. “My father has been through two heart attacks, a stroke and an earthquake. I hope he can pull through this.”
Thomas Sr., who lives in a high-rise apartment on the island of Cebu, has never met his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. He is cared for by his son Thomas Jr., his middle child.
Despite his health struggles, the retired lighting director and regional Emmy award-winner relocated to the Philippines in January, seeking a quieter life. Reflecting on the move, he said: “The people are so kind and welcoming, and they are respectful to older people. It is a place of culture and beauty.
“At 80 it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence. In South East Asia the medical care is good, you can live reasonably cheaply, the people are kind and respect older people and the food is healthy. Mostly I just want peace.”
