Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has provided a personal update on his life after enduring significant health challenges, including the recent amputation of his leg. In an interview with The Daily Mail, the 81-year-old revealed that he is now in a relationship with Rio Canedo, a nurse 35 years his junior. The pair met in December 2025 following a complex medical procedure that has drastically altered Thomas’s life.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Meghan-Thomas-Markle-120725-2-38c3efadb32c4c62bcafc20de13a0dc3.jpg)
Speaking frankly, Thomas expressed profound emotions about his new relationship. “I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age,” he stated. “I felt neglected and sad for so many years, but now I am enjoying life again.” He described being “truly blessed” to have someone like Rio, who he says provides him with excellent care and companionship.
The connection between Thomas and Canedo began when he was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital in the Philippines, where Canedo works. He has been residing in the Philippines after moving from Mexico, and their bond blossomed shortly after he underwent a leg amputation due to complications from a blood clot. “After my stroke, things were not great,” Thomas explained. The health crisis that prompted his move was a major turning point, leading him to seek a quieter life, which he found in the Philippines.
Canedo, 46, who is also a mother of two, shared her initial concerns about meeting Thomas, noting that she had heard from others about his purported grumpiness. However, upon getting to know him, she found him to be a total gentleman with a great sense of humour. Interestingly, she was not fully aware of Thomas’s background and his connection to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The amputation, which took place on December 3, 2025, was a result of inadequate blood flow to his leg due to the clot. The three-hour operation marked a crucial moment in Thomas’s life, one that he described in the interview as transformative, providing him an unexpected opportunity for companionship and happiness in his later years.
In a twist of family dynamics, despite years of estrangement between him and Meghan Markle, she reached out following his health scare. A spokesperson for Meghan confirmed that she attempted to contact her father just after hearing about his surgery. However, Thomas later stated that he had not received any direct communication from her. A representative for Meghan subsequently confirmed that a letter from her had safely reached him.
The relationship between Thomas and Meghan has been strained since her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Their bond suffered significantly after Thomas admitted to staging staged paparazzi photographs prior to the nuptials, leading to disagreements over media interactions. Meghan, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, expressed the deep emotional fallout from their fractured relationship, saying, “I’ve lost my father.”
Despite the ongoing estrangement with his daughter, Thomas seems to be focusing on his newfound happiness with Canedo. As he navigates this new chapter in his life, expressing gratitude for the kindness he has experienced in the Philippines, he continues to reflect on both his health and personal relationships. The future appears brighter for him, thanks to the unexpected companionship he has found during a particularly challenging period.
As events unfold, it remains to be seen how this will impact his relationship with Meghan and whether any reconciliation is possible. For now, Thomas Markle is embracing the joy and happiness he has discovered at this stage of his life, finding solace and companionship in his relationship with Rio Canedo.