Doria Ragland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doria Ragland
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Ragland (right) in May 2018, with daughter Meghan Markle
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| Born |
Doria Loyce Ragland
September 2, 1956 |
| Education | University of Southern California (MSW) |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Thomas Markle Sr.
(m. 1979; div. 1987) |
| Children | Meghan Markle |
| Family | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Son-in-Law) |
Doria Loyce Ragland was born on September 2, 1956. She is best known as the mother of Meghan Markle. Meghan is also known as the Duchess of Sussex. Doria Ragland was married to Thomas Markle Sr., who worked in television. Doria has a degree in social work. She has also worked as a makeup artist and a yoga teacher.
Doria Ragland's Early Life
Doria Ragland was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother, Jeanette Arnold, was a nurse. Her father, Alvin Azell Ragland, sold old items at flea markets. When Doria was a baby, her parents moved to Los Angeles. They later divorced.
Doria has two older half-sisters, Joseph and Saundra. She also has a younger half-brother, Alvin Joffrey Ragland. Her family history can be traced back to Richard Ragland. He was born into slavery around 1792. His son, Stephen Ragland, lived long enough to see slavery end in 1865. The Ragland family name came from a slave-owner named William Ragland. He moved from Cornwall, England, to North America. Doria's daughter, Meghan Markle, has said that a DNA test showed she is 43% Nigerian.
Her Career and Education
After high school, Doria Ragland worked as a makeup artist. She worked on the TV show General Hospital. There, she met Thomas Markle, her future husband. She also worked as a travel agent. For a time, she owned her own small business.
After her divorce, Doria went back to school. She earned a degree in psychology. In 2011, she got a master's degree in social work. This was from the University of Southern California. After passing her exams in 2015, she became a social worker. She worked at a mental health clinic for three years. Doria has also taught yoga classes. In 2020, it was reported that she would teach a jewelry making course. She also became a leader for a care home company in Beverly Hills.
Doria Ragland's Personal Life
Doria Ragland married Thomas Markle on December 23, 1979. Their wedding was in Hollywood. Their daughter, Meghan, was born in 1981. Doria and Thomas separated when Meghan was two years old. They divorced in 1987.
Doria lives in View Park–Windsor Hills, California. She lives in a house she inherited from her father. She often goes to public events with her daughter Meghan. In 2018, she attended Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry.
Doria became a grandmother on May 6, 2019. She flew to the United Kingdom to see her grandson. His name is Prince Archie of Sussex. In July, she went to Prince Archie's christening. Her granddaughter, Princess Lilibet of Sussex, was born on June 4, 2021. She was born in Santa Barbara, California.
