Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan Markle, underwent a significant medical procedure on December 3, 2023, resulting in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. The surgery took place in Cebu, Philippines, and was confirmed by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., in an interview with the *Daily Mail*. The procedure was deemed necessary after a blood clot severely restricted circulation to his leg, leading to a rapid deterioration of his condition.
According to Thomas Jr., the 81-year-old former Hollywood lighting director experienced a swift decline in health. “My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly,” he stated. The urgency of the situation escalated when local doctors indicated that the amputation was crucial for saving his life. “There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death,” he added.
In addition to the amputation, Thomas Markle is expected to undergo further surgery aimed at addressing a blood clot in his left thigh. Medical professionals have expressed serious concern for his health, noting that the next few days will be critical for recovery. “They were worried about infection setting in—sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying,” Thomas Jr. explained.
Earlier reports indicated that Thomas was hospitalized in intensive care in Cebu due to an undisclosed illness. He was transported by ambulance to a larger hospital after initial assessments suggested imminent danger to his life. “I took dad to a hospital close to our home and they did various scans and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger,” Thomas Jr. recalled.
Samantha Markle, Thomas’ daughter from his first marriage, also expressed her concern, stating, “He is a strong man, but he has been through so much. I am praying that he is strong enough to survive this.” She reflected on her father’s medical history, mentioning that he has survived two heart attacks and a stroke.
Meghan Markle, 44, has been estranged from her father since her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. Their relationship became strained after accusations that Thomas staged paparazzi photos prior to the royal wedding. In a 2022 episode of Netflix’s *Harry & Meghan*, Meghan recounted a phone call with her father, during which she confronted him about the claims of taking money from tabloids.
As the family navigates this challenging health crisis, Thomas Jr. has called for the public to keep their father in their thoughts. “I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts,” he said, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.
The circumstances surrounding Thomas Markle’s health continue to unfold, and the family remains hopeful for his recovery in the coming days.
