At 81 years old, he is on cloud nineNew stepmother for Duchess Meghan? Her father Thomas Markle is newly in love

Thomas Markle is finally happy again

Love knows no age! According to Daily, Thomas Markle is currently on cloud nine at the age of 81. The past few years have been anything but easy for Duchess Meghan's father. Public interviews, health setbacks and the radio silence regarding his famous daughter repeatedly made headlines. This romantic twist is all the more surprising. After the difficult phases, he is “overjoyed” to have found joy againMarkle confirms to the British newspaper, which visited him in his adopted home in the Philippines.

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“I felt neglected and sad for so many years, but now I'm enjoying life again”the American is quoted as saying. “After so many difficult times, I feel truly blessed to have found someone very special who will take such good care of me,” said Markle, who is already living with his girlfriend in a hotel-like room at the rehab center in Cebu.

Nurse Rio Canedo is Markle's new love interest

The new woman at Markle's side is Rio Canedo (46). The retired Hollywood lighting supervisor met the Filipino nurse while he was recovering from life-threatening surgery to amputate his left leg below the knee last December. It becomes clear that the two have a very special connection to each other. “When she holds his hand, as she often does, he beams with genuine joy”the report continues.

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The nurse's care has a good influence on the seriously ill man, whom she affectionately calls “Sir Tom”. The 46-year-old gave Markle a “strict sugar-free diet” prescribed and make sure that he always drinks enough water. As a result, he has already “lost a lot of weight”. “I finally feel safe and well looked after”explained Markle, who is currently suffering from pneumonia.

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“I didn’t know who he was when I met him”

Thomas Markle has been married twice in the past. His first marriage to the secretary Roslyn Loveless (1964–1975) resulted in his two children Yvonne Marie Markle (who now calls herself Samantha) and Thomas Wayne Markle Junior. In 1979, Markle married social worker Doria Ragland. With her he had daughter Meghan, who was born in August 1981. The marriage ended in divorce in 1987.

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Rio Canedo also has two children from a previous relationship: a 16-year-old son who is about to finish school and wants to become a teacher, and a 22-year-old daughter who is studying pharmacy. She initially knew nothing about Markle's connections to the British royal family. “I didn't know who he was when I met him. Here in the Philippines, Meghan and Harry are not a big deal”she told the Daily Mail reporter. According to reports, Meghan contacted her at the end of 2025 after her father's serious health problems, but a meeting did not take place.

The couple is well aware that some people would view their relationship critically and perhaps even make fun of it. But that doesn't matter to the two new lovers. “I have finally found peace. I have suffered for so many years because of what happened to my youngest daughter Meghan”said Thomas Markle. Because of the difficult times he went through, he now appreciates the good times even more.

Sources used: Daily Mail