Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has announced a new romance with Rio Canedo, a 46-year-old Filipino nurse he met while recovering from life-saving surgery. The 81-year-old retired Hollywood lighting director told the Daily Mail he is “overjoyed” and that Rio has brought him “peace and happiness” after years of feeling “sad and neglected”.
Markle, who has endured a series of health problems including a leg amputation and a stroke, met Canedo during his recovery in Cebu, Philippines, where he moved in 2025 for a quieter life. Canedo, a mother of two, reportedly had no idea who Markle was when they first met and refers to him as “Sir Tom”. She played a key role in his recovery, managing his health and ensuring a no-sugar diet.
Despite the 35-year age gap, Markle brushed off criticism, saying: “I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age. I know some people will say hurtful things, but I don't care.” He has been estranged from his daughter Meghan since before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, when he staged paparazzi photos and later admitted it was a mistake.
Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., had earlier urged the Sussexes to contact their father after his leg amputation, revealing he was “heavily medicated”. Meghan, 44, did not immediately reach out but later sent a letter. The father-daughter relationship was once close, with Meghan living with him from age 11 to 18 and describing him as “thoughtful, inspiring, hardworking” in 2014.
