Doria Ragland is the only child of Alvin and Jeanette Ragland like her daughter Meghan. She was born in 1956. Her father Alvin was an antique dealer and her mother a nurse by profession. Doria attended Fairfax High School graduating and started off her career as a makeup artist in Hollywood. It was on the set of General Hospital where she met Thomas Markle and the two got married in 1979 and two years later welcomed their only child Meghan who would go on to be the history making Duchess of Sussex in 1981.
During some time in her life Doria had a career change worked in the travel industry and they traveled together which is why the Duchess has such a love for travel today. The Duchess has stated “my mother raised me to be a global citizen.” Doria went to university and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work and worked as clinical therapist working with the geriatric community. Doria is also a yoga instructor.
Doria is very close to the Duchess and is the epitome of grace in the midst of media scrutiny. She is loyal and supportive to her daughter whom she has given the pet name ‘Flower’.
What the Duchess has said about Doria:
“We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I’ll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.”Duchess of Meghan in Glamour speaking of Doria her mother.
“She was keeping me safe. She was teaching me to take care of my body. She was introducing me to history, and fostering a love of being outdoors. She was planting the seed for me to become a foodie. She was showing me how to be a daughter, not just in that moment, but for when I became that grown woman. For right now. And thirty years from now. She was loving me. So tightly. To all of the wonderful mamas in this world, thank you. For all the lessons, for all the love. For you. I love you, Mommy.”Duchess of Sussex, Meghan on ‘The Tig’ speaking of Doria her mother.
“To all of the wonderful mamas in this world, thank you. For all the lessons, for all the love. For you.” Duchess of Sussex, Meghan on ‘The Tig’ speaking of Doria her mother
Doria is responsible for giving Meghan the interest in humanitarian work.
“Buying turkeys for homeless shelters at Thanksgiving, delivering meals to patients in hospice care, donating any spare change in their pocket to those asking for it, and performing quiet acts of grace—be it a hug, a smile, or a pat on the back to show ones in need that they would be alright.”
“This is what I grew up seeing, so that is what I grew up being,” a young adult with a social consciousness to do what I could, and to, at the very least, speak up when I knew something was wrong.”
Her new son in law Prince Harry had this to say about Doria Ragland
“Her mum’s amazing!”Interview with BBC November, 2017
