Meghan Markle’s Battle with Life-Threatening Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia: Meghan Markle’s Pregnancy Health Struggles

​In the inaugural episode of her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, revealed that she experienced postpartum preeclampsia, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur after childbirth.

During her conversation with Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, who also suffered from the condition, Meghan described the experience as “so rare and so scary.” She emphasized the challenges of managing such a serious health issue while fulfilling public and familial responsibilities, noting that “you’re still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly.”

Postpartum preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and elevated protein levels in the urine, typically developing within 48 hours to six weeks after delivery. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including seizures, strokes, and organ failure. Meghan did not specify whether she experienced this condition after the birth of her son, Archie, or her daughter, Lilibet.