Meghan Markle Opens Up About Life-Threatening Postpartum Complication in Emotional Podcast Debut

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Meghan Markle covered a lot of ground during the first episode of her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

During a heartfelt conversation with her close friend and Bumble dating app creator Whitney Wolfe Herd, the Duchess of Sussex touched on everything from being a working mom of two to the glare of the spotlight to the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

By far the biggest revelation came when the 43-year-old detailed her harrowing experience with postpartum preeclampsia following the birth of one of her children. (She shares Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, with husband Prince Harry.)

“It’s so rare and so scary,” Meghan said of the life-threatening condition, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, which can cause seizures, strokes and organ damage if left untreated.

“The world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly, [and] you’re still
trying to show up for people, mostly for your children,” Meghan said of her secret ordeal, adding, “Those things are huge medical scares.”

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CANDID CONFESSION

The former Suits star immediately received online praise for spreading awareness of the serious medical condition. “Meghan’s hoping to support women who’ve gone through the same thing,” a source tells Star of her decision to share such personal health details.

Indeed, the duchess told The New York Times that her goal with Confessions of a Female Founder is to remind listeners that “they’re not alone.” It’s not the first time she’s opened up about her private pain.

In November 2020, Meghan penned an essay about suffering a miscarriage and the “almost unbearable grief ” she felt after losing the pregnancy. Says the source, “She’s clearly trying to use her experience to connect.”

Others saw her new revelation as opportunistic.

“Doesn’t make sense that it would take years for her to bring this up,” wrote one dubious online commenter, seeming to imply that Meghan was again using her personal life to goose ratings.

After her previous podcast, Archetypes, fizzled, that wouldn’t be so surprising. Explains the source, “Meghan is likely being encouraged to share events from her life and other juicy tidbits to attract listeners and generate buzz.”

All within reason, however. The source says that Harry, 40, who has repeatedly pleaded for privacy (while spilling royal secrets in interviews and his book), OK’s what his wife talks about.

“Meghan’s podcast is her baby, but she does discuss the topics she plans to share with Harry,” says the source. “She values his input.

Harry’s always been supportive and helpful that way.” (On the day of Meghan’s podcast launch, Harry was in a London court appealing against a decision to stop his right to state-funded security when he’s in the U.K.)

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MAKE OR BREAK

As Star has previously reported, the pressure is on for Meghan and Harry to score a professional win. Since leaving their royal duties in early 2020, they’ve struggled with finding their footing.

In 2023, their $20 million Spotify deal ended abruptly following just one season of the ill-fated Archetypes. With Love, Meghan, her lifestyle show on Netflix, has already been renewed for season 2, but was blasted as lightweight and out of touch.

One high point: Her As Ever product line of jams and teas sold out within an hour on April 2. “Meghan and Harry both need her podcast to be a hit if they’re to build up any credibility in Hollywood,” says the source. “They’ve had so many failures already. They don’t need another one.”

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MISSED OPPORTUNITY

While Meghan’s difficulties on her path to motherhood may resonate with some listeners, it’s ironic that she struck out with one significant mom: Princess Kate, 43, who struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, with all three of her pregnancies. As Harry wrote in his memoir, Spare, the two failed to bond on matters maternal.

Kate famously took issue with Meghan’s suggestion that the Princess of Wales had “baby brain” following the birth of Louis, 6, her youngest child with Prince William, 42 (big brother George is 11 and sister Charlotte is 9). “It turns out they had a lot in common, both having difficulties surrounding pregnancy,” says the source. “Meghan’s sad about that missed opportunity.”