Meghan Markle reveals ‘life or death’ health battle in new podcast

Meghan Markle has opened up about a “scary” health battle she faced after childbirth.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed the condition while speaking to Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd during the first episode of her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, which was released on Tuesday.

The pair revealed they bonded over their shared experiences with postpartum preeclampsia, as they discussed juggling motherhood with running a business.

READ MORE: Prince Harry makes surprise appearance in London court

The condition is potentially life-threatening and marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in urine for up to six weeks after childbirth, which can in some cases lead to strokes and seizures.

As they recalled their years of friendship, Meghan revealed to listeners the detail they had in common.

“We both had very similar experiences – though we didn’t know each other at the time –with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia,” Meghan, 43, said.

It’s not known if Meghan’s condition came following the birth of son Prince Archie, in May 2019, or daughter Princess Lilibet in June 2021.

READ MORE: ’I’m sorry’: Meghan apologises for As ever mistake

Wolfe Herd, 35, who has two sons – Bobby, born in December 2019, and Henry, born in April 2022 with husband Michael Herd – also didn’t mention when she battled the health condition.

“It’s so rare and so scary,” Meghan said.

“And you’re still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly.

“And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people – mostly for your children – but those things are huge medical scares.”

Meghan’s life on Instagram: all her best posts so far

It was a sentiment her podcast guest agreed with immediately.

“I mean life or death, truly. It’s really scary,” Wolfe Herd said.

The Bumble CEO also spoke about the unrealistic expectations foisted upon new mums before marvelling at Meghan for posing for photos days after giving birth to Archie.

“I mean, I’ll never forget the image of you after you delivered Archie, and the whole world was waiting for his debut,” Wolfe Herd said.

“I was either just becoming or about to become a new mum, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, how is this woman doing this? How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this, you know, beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?'”

“I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food in a robe,” she added, getting a laugh from Meghan.

“I was like, ‘please don’t look at me’, leave it down the street.”

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

The Duchess of Sussex and husband Prince Harry bucked tradition of posing outside hospital following the birth of their first child – something done by Princess Diana in the 80s and Catherine, Princess of Wales in more recent times.

Instead, the couple posed for a small group of cameras inside Windsor Castle a few days after the young royal was born.

With Princess Lilibet, it was almost six months before the world got their first glimpse of the American-born British royal on the Sussex family’s Christmas card in 2022.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.