Megan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, 81, admitted he is dating his nurse, Rio Canedo, in Phillipines. Here's everything we know about her.
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, has started a new chapter in his life that has drawn global attention. He revealed that he is in a relationship with a much younger nurse he met during a critical health phase. Here's everything to know about Rio Canedo and their unexpected bond.
Thomas Markle's nurse cum love interest, Rio Canedo, is a 46-year-old Filipina nurse. She has recently come into the spotlight after he revealed their relationship. According to Page Six and Daily Mail, Rio works in Cebu, in the Philippines, where Thomas moved in 2025 for a quiet life and better care. The 46-year-old had allegedly met Thomas for the first time in December 2025 at a rehabilitation center, where she was a part of the medical team helping patients.
At the time, Thomas Markle was getting over a life-threatening condition, where he suffered a severe blood clot. It led to the amputation of his left leg below his knee, causing him mobility issues. Apart from caring for Thomas, Rio became an important part of his recovery. As per reports, she used to actively manage his health, overlooked his strict no-sugar diet, and ensured he was hydrated while he recovered from pneumonia.
According to News.com.au, Thomas has credited Rio for her dedicated care and support, which helped him improve his physical health and emotional wellness. The duo's bond began when he faced a medical crisis; her support proved life-changing for him.
Thomas Markle opened up about his relationship with the Daily Mail and discuused about his bond with Rio. For those unaware, Thomas is 81, while Rio is 46. He admitted that he didn't expect to find such joy and happiness at his age. But he feels blessed and grateful to have Rio, who takes such good care of him. Reacting to the criticism of their age-gap, he said:
"I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age. I felt neglected and sad for so many years, but now I am enjoying life again. After so many tough times, I feel truly blessed to have found someone very special who takes such good care of me. I know some people will say hurtful things, but I don't care."
Thomas Markle's personal life has often been in the public eye due to his strained bond with his daughter, Meghan Markle. Before Rio Canedo, he had been married twice. He first married Roslyn Loveless, then Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother. But they filed for divorce in 1987. On the other hand, his bond with his daughter, Meghan, has been distant, especially after 2018 when he gave a tell-all interview about their estrangement. However, some recent reports suggest that he has moved on from that chapter and is focusing on his present life in the Philippines. Speaking about his father, Thomas Markle's bond with Meghan, his other son, Thomas Jr said:
"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. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts. My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life. I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad."
What do you think about Thomas Markle finding love in Rio Canedo?
Next Read: 'Where Is Kai Trump?' Amid Tiger Woods' Car Crash And Arrest, 18-Year-Old Golfer In Question