Meghan Markle’s estranged dad, 81, is dating his nurse, 46, after health scare: ‘I feel truly blessed’

Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, says he’s “blessed and beyond happy” now that he’s dating his much-younger nurse.

“I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age. I felt neglected and sad for so many years but now I am enjoying life again,” Thomas told the Daily Mail in an interview published Saturday.

“After so many tough times I feel truly blessed to have found someone very special who takes such good care of me.”

Thomas Markle, father of Meghan Markle, grocery shopping in Baja, Mexico.
Thomas Markle, pictured above going for a shopping trip in Baja, Mexico, revealed he’s found love with a nurse 35 years his junior./ SplashNews.com

Thomas Markle Sr. resting on a bench with lush greenery and a "DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE HERE" sign in the background.
Thomas, 81 — pictured above shortly after his move to Cebu, Philippines — met his new girlfriend, Rio Canedo, 46, while recovering from his leg amputation surgery in the Philippines.GDoggy / Karl Larsen PR Photos / BACKGRID
The 81-year-old was introduced to his new girlfriend, Rio Canedo, 46, while recovering from his leg amputation surgery in the Philippines.

Canedo works in the town of Cebu, which is where Thomas and his son, Tom Jr., 59, moved to in January 2025.

“I know some people will say hurtful things but I don’t care,” Thomas said of his romance while acknowledging their drastic age difference.

“I want to talk about this because I never thought I would ever be happy again. I want people to know you’re never too old to find peace and love.”

Thomas Markle and Tom Markle Junior walking outside an apartment building.
Thomas moved to the area with his son, Tom Jr., (both pictured above in their first public sighting since their move) in January 2025.GDoggy / Karl Larsen PR Photos / BACKGRID

Thomas Markle sitting in a wheelchair with a cane in his lap, being pushed by Thomas Markle Jr. at an airport.
“After so many tough times I feel truly blessed to have found someone very special who takes such good care of me,” Thomas, seen above being pushed through a Los Angeles airport, said of his new relationship.LionsShareNews / BACKGRID
“There’s a lot of negative things going on in the world and if my story can give a little hope to one person then I’m happy,” he continued, adding that “the haters will hate.”

“But, to be honest, I don’t give a damn. Life is for living. There’s nothing more important in life than love.”

In early December, it was revealed that Thomas Sr. was admitted to the intensive care unit after undergoing emergency surgery.

At the time, his son had told outlets that he had been rushed to the hospital after getting sick at home.

Thomas Markle being rushed on a gurney into a hospital in Tijuana.
Thomas (seen above arriving at a hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, in 2022) was reported to have undergone emergency surgery in early December.BACKGRID

Thomas Markle, wearing a navy polo shirt and jeans, exiting his Rosarito residence with a cane.
At the time, it was reported that Thomas, seen above stepping out of his Rosarito residence, was rushed to the hospital after he had become sick at his home.Dsanchez/CPR / BACKGRID
“After my stroke things were not great. I wanted to go to the other side of the world to a place where the people are kind,” Thomas told the Daily Mail of his move.

“The Philippines have a gentler way of life. I never expected to meet Rio and have my life changed in such a wonderful way.”

“I finally feel safe and well-cared for.”

Thomas Markle carrying a to-go bag of food.
“After my stroke things were not great,” Thomas (pictured above grabbing to-go food in Rosarito, Mexico) explained. “I wanted to go to the other side of the world to a place where the people are kind.”/ SplashNews.com

Thomas Markle and Tom Markle Junior sitting outside.
Thomas, pictured above in Cebu, Philippines, earlier this year, added that he “finally” feels “safe and well-cared for” thanks to Canedo.GDoggy / Karl Larsen PR Photos / BACKGRID
Canedo takes care of Thomas with a strict no sugar diet, which has shown some results as the outlet noted Thomas’ weight loss. She also encourages Meghan’s estranged father — who is currently struggling with pneumonia — to drink more water.

“I’ve got pneumonia but I’m not feeling sorry for myself because I have Rio taking such good care of me,” said Thomas.

As we previously reported, the Duchess of Sussex did reach out to her father amid his recent health issues despite their distanced relationship. But, Thomas tells the Daily Mail that he’s moved past his strained relationship with his famous daughter.

“I hardly watch the news. I live in a world where people are kind to each other. The nurses and doctors here in the Philippines are wonderful. People here don’t have all the worldly goods we have in the West but they respect and care for older people.”

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaks onstage during the "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" panel during the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival.
When it comes to his daughter Meghan Markle (pictured above at the 2024 SXSW Festival), Thomas brushed off their strained relationship, saying he finally feels like he “can laugh again” after being “sad about Meghan for so long.”Getty Images

Thomas Markle at Superior Court of California Northwest division.
“Life is good,” he closed his update.BACKGRID
“There are young trainee nurses here who we call the ‘munchkins’ and all I hear all day long are peels of laughter,” he continued.

“I was sad about Meghan for so long but now I finally feel like I can laugh again. Life is good.”

A rep for Meghan did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.