From 'Briefcase Girl' to Business Mogul: Meghan Markle's Hollywood Journey
Meghan Markle: From Hollywood Hostess to Royal Entrepreneur
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has been a household name for years, but few know about her humble beginnings in Hollywood. Before she was living a life of luxury as a member of the British royal family, Meghan was just another young actress trying to make it big in Tinseltown.
A Life of Hard Work and Humility
According to Sean Smith's biography of Meghan, titled "Meghan Misunderstood," the Duchess's early days in Hollywood were marked by hard work and humility. She took on a number of jobs to make ends meet while she waited for her big break. One of her most unusual gigs was as a calligrapher - someone who specializes in writing beautiful, stylized words. Yes, you read that right! The Duchess of Sussex spent time writing fancy script for a living.
The Royal's Hidden Talent
Smith writes that Meghan's exquisite handwriting made her the perfect candidate for this job, and it was "super lucrative" to boot. But it wasn't all glamour and glory - Meghan also worked as a restaurant hostess at a diner and even taught informal classes in calligraphy from a stationary store in Beverly Hills.
Acting Career: A Rollercoaster Ride
While her calligraphy work was taking off, Meghan's acting career was hitting roadblocks. She was stuck on the "annual pilot-season lottery," making pilots that never amounted to much for five straight years. But she didn't give up! Her big break finally came in 2011 when she landed the role of Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. The show ran for seven seasons, and Meghan's salary was a whopping $450,000 per year.
From Hollywood to the Royal Family
After leaving Suits in 2017, Meghan married Prince Harry and became a member of the British royal family. Her stint as a working royal was short-lived, but she hasn't been idle since "Megxit." In fact, she's been busy building a business empire that's worth millions.
The Duchess's Business Ventures
Since stepping down from her royal duties, Meghan has focused on her solo projects. She launched American Riviera Orchard in 2024, which later became As Ever, a brand that "beautifully weaves together everything I cherish - food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday." The brand offers an assortment of teas, edible flower sprinkles, and even a £20 jar of honey. Talk about luxury!
But that's not all - Meghan has also invested in a number of companies, including vegan coffee brand Clevr Blends and haircare line Highbrow Hippie. And if you thought she was done with the spotlight just yet, think again! She's launched her latest product line: Californian rosé wine. It sold out within an hour, and we can't help but wonder what other ventures are up her sleeve.
The Spotify Deal: A Joint Venture Gone Sour
In 2020, Meghan and Harry signed a lucrative £18million deal with Spotify. But it appears the music streaming giant didn't see enough content to warrant the full payout. The couple produced only one show together - Archetypes, hosted by Meghan herself. The series featured interviews with celebrities like Serena Williams and Paris Hilton.
The Podcast: Confessions of a Female Founder
More recently, Meghan launched her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan. In this series, she chats with female business owners from successful companies about their journeys to the top. It's clear that Meghan is using her platform to empower women and promote entrepreneurship.
A Children's Book: A New Chapter in Her Career
In 2021, Meghan made her literary debut with The Bench, a children's book about a father-son relationship through the eyes of the mother. While it received mixed reviews from critics, we can't help but think this is just the beginning of her writing career.
The Netflix Deal: Dead in the Water?
Rumors have been circulating that Meghan and Harry's £80million deal with Netflix is "dead." But don't worry, fans! The couple has already produced multiple shows for the platform. Their documentary series about their lives, aptly named Harry and Meghan, was a huge hit - even if it did receive mixed reviews.
With Love Meghan: A Solo Venture
Meghan's first major solo television project is With Love Meghan, a lifestyle program that features her cooking up a storm with famous guests. It's clear she's using this platform to showcase her love of food, gardening, and entertaining. But what about Harry? Sources close to the show have revealed that neither he nor their children will appear in the next season.
The Future is Bright for Meghan Markle
It's clear that Meghan has come a long way since her days as a struggling actress in Hollywood. From calligrapher to royal entrepreneur, she's proven herself to be a true businesswoman and force to be reckoned with. What's next for the Duchess of Sussex? Only time will tell!
