Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, disclosed her experience with postpartum preeclampsia on the first episode of her new podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder.” The discussion occurred with Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of the Bumble dating app.
“We both had very similar experiences—though we didn’t know each other at the time—with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia,” Markle stated during the conversation with Wolfe Herd. “Postpartum preeclampsia.”
The condition involves high blood pressure and excess protein in urine soon after childbirth. Experts note that postpartum preeclampsia usually develops within 48 hours after delivery but can appear up to six weeks later. If untreated, it may lead to serious health issues such as seizures, stroke, brain damage, and even death.
Markle described the condition as “so rare and so scary” and explained the difficulties of managing a severe health issue while caring for a newborn.
Wolfe Herd also suffered from the condition, emphasizing its severity by calling it “life or death, truly.” She expressed admiration for Markle’s ability to handle public responsibilities while dealing with such a serious health matter privately.
During their discussion, Wolfe Herd recalled being impressed by Markle’s appearance with Prince Archie at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom, in May 2019, just two days after the birth. She admired Markle’s composure and public presence amid recovery.
Markle did not specify whether her postpartum preeclampsia occurred after the birth of Prince Archie, now five, or Princess Lilibet, now three. Treatment often involves hospitalization, blood pressure medication, and magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures.
Medical professionals estimate that postpartum preeclampsia affects about four to six percent of women. The condition is particularly dangerous because symptoms, such as headaches, vision changes, swelling, and abdominal pain, can resemble normal postpartum experiences, complicating recognition of the situation’s severity.
The Preeclampsia Foundation reports that approximately 75 percent of maternal deaths related to the condition occur postpartum, underscoring the need for awareness and early intervention.
Besides the health discussion, Markle’s podcast offered glimpses into her family life. She mentioned working primarily from home, which allows her to be present for her children. “Lili still naps; she gets picked up early, and she naps,” Markle said. “She only has a half-day in preschool. If she wakes up and wants to find me, she knows where to find me, even if my door is closed to the office.”
The duchess explained how her daughter sometimes joins her video meetings, sitting on her lap during conferences with executives. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she added.
Markle’s new podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder,” follows the end of her previous podcasting arrangement with Spotify in mid-2023. The new series, produced with Lemonada Media, features talks with female entrepreneurs.
While the podcast is marketed as providing business insights from successful founders, the first episode with Wolfe Herd concentrated on personal challenges faced by women as mothers and business leaders. Wolfe Herd, a mother of two, praised Markle throughout their chat and highlighted the warm environment of Markle’s home, describing it as “engulfed in love and coziness.”
The conversation briefly touched on Wolfe Herd’s motivation for creating Bumble, noting how an “abusive relationship” in her teenage years inspired her to develop a dating app focused on kindness. However, the podcast did not explore Wolfe Herd’s well-known sexual harassment allegations against her former employer, Tinder.
