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Meghan Markle Reveals ‘Huge Medical Scare’ in Debut Podcast Episode
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, disclosed a significant medical scare experienced after childbirth, as her highly anticipated podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder”, premiered today. In the inaugural episode of the Lemonada Media show, Markle engages in a candid discussion about postpartum health challenges. This podcast launch coincides with Prince Harry’s UK arrival and King Charles III’s state visit to Italy, placing Markle and her ventures back in the public spotlight.
Podcast Announcement and Episode Details
To mark the launch of her new venture with Lemonada Media, the Duchess shared nostalgic childhood photographs on Instagram, depicting her selling cookies. The first episode features a conversation between Meghan and her friend, Whitney Wolfe Herd, a notable entrepreneur who established the female-centric dating application Bumble and co-founded Tinder.
Postpartum Preeclampsia: A Shared Medical Challenge
During their discussion, both Meghan Markle and Whitney Wolfe Herd revealed their personal battles with postpartum preeclampsia. This serious condition, characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in urine following delivery, was described by Wolfe Herd as a ‘life or death’ situation. The Duchess highlighted the rarity and alarming nature of postpartum preeclampsia, emphasizing the hidden struggles faced by new mothers.
In the podcast, recorded earlier this year in February, Meghan remarked to Wolfe Herd, “We both had very similar experiences – although we weren’t aware of each other at the time – with postpartum, and we both experienced preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia.”
Meghan refrained from specifying whether she experienced this health complication following the births of her son, Prince Archie, aged five, or her daughter, Princess Lilibet, aged three. Wolfe Herd is a mother of two sons.
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Public Perception vs. Private Struggles
The Duchess elaborated on the difficulty of navigating such serious health issues while maintaining public appearances. “It’s so uncommon and so frightening,” Meghan stated, “And you’re still attempting to manage all these responsibilities, and the world remains unaware of the private struggles unfolding.”
She continued, “And amidst this quiet turmoil, you’re still striving to be present for people – primarily for your children – yet these are immense medical crises.” Wolfe Herd echoed this sentiment, adding, “I mean life or death, genuinely.”
Wolfe Herd Praises Meghan’s Public Debut After Archie’s Birth
Wolfe Herd recounted the moment Meghan and Prince Harry introduced their newborn son, Archie, to the world in a photocall at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, in May 2019, just two days after his birth.
Addressing the Duchess, Wolfe Herd remarked, “I’ll never forget the image of you after giving birth to Archie, with the entire world awaiting his debut.” She added, recalling her own experience as a new mother or soon-to-be mother, “I was thinking, ‘How is this woman managing this? How is she wearing heels and presenting her child in this stunning attire before the global audience?'”
Wolfe Herd contrasted this with her own postpartum experience, “I could barely manage to answer the door for takeout in a bathrobe,” a comment that elicited laughter from Meghan.
Meghan Praises Wolfe Herd’s Entrepreneurial Acumen and Friendship
Meghan lauded Wolfe Herd as an “exceptionally successful female entrepreneur” and “the kind of friend who consistently seems to offer the precise words of wisdom when I need perspective.”
Media Scrutiny and Resilience
Wolfe Herd acknowledged the “brutalizing” period Meghan endured in the public eye, saying, “I truly believe there’s much to admire in your ability to persevere, even amid such intense scrutiny.”
She drew parallels to her own experience with media attention, “It requires immense strength. When I faced a media storm and endured criticism at Tinder, I essentially remained housebound for about six weeks.”
Podcast Discussion: Branding, Overthinking, and Time Management
Meghan shared insights into her entrepreneurial mindset, particularly her meticulous approach to branding and packaging. “I became completely absorbed with packaging,” she admitted. “Boxes. It consumed my thoughts. I would mentally rehearse the unboxing process: Will there be tissue paper? What about biodegradable packing peanuts? Where should the sticker be placed, and what’s the optimal box size?”
She also touched upon the concept of a ‘porch pirate’ – someone who steals delivered packages from doorsteps.
Meghan recounted, “Someone cautioned, ‘You shouldn’t brand the exterior of the box due to porch pirates.’ I had never encountered that term before. What exactly is a porch pirate?”
Wolfe Herd emphasized the irreplaceable nature of time, sharing, “The amount of time, Meghan, that I squandered being anxious, unhappy, overwhelmed, and paranoid about impending negativity. I genuinely believe I would have achieved greater success had I not been burdened by such anxieties.”
However, Meghan countered, “But is it possible to simply switch it off? I ask because last night, I experienced – you know when your mind fixates in a loop? Those 3 am mental cycles, where you can’t cease overthinking.”
The ‘Rule of Fives’ for Perspective
Wolfe Herd shared her strategy for managing anxiety: the ‘rule of fives’.
She elaborated, “Will this matter in five minutes? Five hours? Five days? Yes or no. If it won’t be significant in five years, disregard it.”
Wolfe Herd advised, “I think you need to take a moment to breathe deeply and assess, ‘How critical is this issue?’ If it won’t be a defining problem for your business, your life, your family in five years, then you’ll be alright.”
She further explained, “When you’re dwelling in the middle of the night, concerned about a box texture issue, consider: Will that matter in five months? Probably not, because you can always change the box.”
Motherhood and Shifting Priorities
The conversation extended to how motherhood has reshaped their life perspectives. Wolfe Herd conveyed to Meghan, “I believe being a mother, as you know, supersedes everything. Our children’s well-being is intrinsically linked to our own. Consequently, it compels you to prioritize in ways that, personally, I never did previously.”
Balancing Work and Family Life
Meghan also discussed the integration of home and professional life, mentioning how her daughter Lilibet occasionally joins her in her home office in Montecito, California, after her afternoon nap.
Quotes from Meghan’s Podcast
On Postpartum Preeclampsia
- “It’s so uncommon and so frightening. And you’re still attempting to manage all these responsibilities, and the world remains unaware of the private struggles unfolding. And amidst this quiet turmoil, you’re still striving to be present for people – primarily for your children – yet these are immense medical crises.”
On Whitney Wolfe Herd
- “The kind of friend who consistently seems to offer the precise words of wisdom when I need perspective.”
On Working from Home
- “We became mothers in the pandemic, post-pandemic culture, where there is so much working from home… I don’t commute to an office; my office is right here.”
On Princess Lilibet
- “Lili still naps and is picked up early for her nap. She attends preschool for only half a day. When she wakes up and wants to find me, she knows where to locate me, even if my office door is closed.”
On Having Children
- “What I appreciate most about having young children, in this phase while I’m establishing [my business], is the perspective it provides. You’re building a business while simultaneously navigating your child’s potty training… and both hold equal importance… It’s like, ‘Great, OK, where are the Cheerios? Well done.’ “
Addressing Wolfe Herd, she explained, “We became mothers in a pandemic, post-pandemic environment, where remote work is prevalent… I don’t travel to an office; my office is situated here.”
“Lili still takes naps, gets an early pickup, and naps again. Her preschool is only a half-day program. If she awakens and seeks me out, she knows where to find me, even if my office door is closed.”
“She’ll often sit on my lap during virtual meetings with a grid of executives… I wouldn’t prefer it any other way. I don’t want to miss these moments. I want to be present for school pickups and drop-offs when possible.”
The Duchess further added, “What I truly cherish about having young children, especially as I’m building my business, is the valuable perspective it offers because you’re simultaneously developing a company and handling toddler potty training… and both are equally significant.”
“It’s a moment of ‘Great, OK, where are the Cheerios? Well done.’ And then, ten minutes later, you’re passionately advocating for your team on a matter of considerable global importance. In your professional sphere, it’s highly valuable. And in Lilibet’s realm, it’s equally high value.”
Wolfe Herd concurred, “Technology is an invaluable asset for parents, enabling you to be engaged, present, and perform excellently on a call while waiting in the school carpool line. Why must I be confined to a desk? My intellectual input remains consistent whether I’m at a desk or in a carpool line.”
Wolfe Herd also commended Meghan’s hospitality, “Whenever you visit her home, you are instantly enveloped in warmth and comfort, which naturally fosters a welcoming atmosphere.”
Meghan’s Expanding Media Portfolio
This podcast series marks the latest addition to the former actress’s growing media endeavors, following her Netflix lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan” and her new brand, As Ever.
To accompany the podcast’s release, Meghan shared a series of throwback images, stating, “Entrepreneurship can begin at a young age. (And even now, I’m still selling cookies!)”
“Tune in to the debut episode of ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ featuring my dear friend, @whitney, now available wherever you access your podcasts! @lemonadamedia.”
The images showcased her selling cookies while wearing a Girl Scout uniform, a possible allusion to her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and its shortbread butter cookies.
Podcast Premise and Guest Insights
In an email to the New York Times, the Duchess explained, “I hope ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ reassures listeners that they are not alone. These are genuine dialogues with women who have built enterprises from the ground up, faced obstacles, and persevered.”
The New York Times reported that Meghan and Wolfe Herd’s conversation encompassed “navigating media attention, shaping a brand identity, promoting kindness, embracing self-esteem, prioritizing family, and devising strategies to manage it all.”
Both the New York Times and People magazine received advance access to the podcast prior to its release on Lemonada Media and platforms like Spotify and Apple.
A trailer for the show, launched on March 25, featured Meghan promising “girl talk” and guidance on creating “billion-dollar businesses.”
In the trailer, Meghan encourages a guest to view the experience as a “dolphin tank” rather than a “shark tank,” inquires of another if she is currently single, discusses the “laser focus” required in business, and concludes with “Let’s do this, ladies.”
The eight-part podcast series is also expected to document the Duchess’s work on her As Ever brand, which now offers jam, herbal teas, flower sprinkles, and ready-to-make crepe mix.
This new podcast series is part of a deal established in February of last year with Lemonada Media, succeeding her previous series, Archetypes, which aired on Spotify in 2022.
Archetypes, which explored female stereotypes, ran for a single season and was part of the Sussexes’ former £20 million agreement with Spotify, which concluded the following year.