- Prince Harry's fiancée Meghan Markle is an actress on the television drama "Suits," which films in Toronto, Canada.
- Markle may be a millionaire and soon-to-be royal, but she doesn't live a lavish lifestyle.
- Markle previously rented a modest home and car in Toronto, and favors affordable fashion brands.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meghan Markle had a surprisingly relatable life before becoming the world's most famous royal to-be
Prince Harry's fiancée Meghan Markle was renting a bungalow and driving a leased SUV before her engagement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Prince Harry's fiancée Meghan Markle isn't a commoner — but she's not yet royalty either.
Sure, the 36-year-old actress and Los Angeles native was earning close to half a million dollars a year starring in the USA Network drama "Suits," but she didn't live in the lap of luxury.
Up until her recent engagement to Prince Harry, Markle rented a three-bedroom bungalow in Toronto, Canada, and leased an Audi SUV. And before she landed the role on "Suits," she was juggling a few side hustles to make ends meet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Below, take a peek inside the surprisingly relatable life of Meghan Markle:
With an estimated net worth of $5 million, she's rich — but she doesn't act like it.
Markle has starred on the television drama "Suits" since 2011 and earns about $50,000 per episode, according to
But the actress also makes around $80,000 a year from sponsorships and endorsement deals, bringing her annual salary to about $450,000. C
Markle rented out a bungalow in Toronto — where a 3-bedroom goes for $1,770 a month on average — for part of the year while filming 'Suits.'
ADVERTISEMENT
"Suits" shoots eight months out of the year in Toronto. During production, Markle rented out a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a private backyard garden in the Seaton Village of Toronto.
Back in 2013, the self-proclaimed "California girl" told Esquire, "
The couple who owned the home bought it for $508,000 a decade ago, and recently sold it for nearly $1.4 million after Markle moved out.
While she was auditioning for acting roles before landing 'Suits,' Markle maintained a 'super-lucrative' side job writing calligraphy invitations, she told Esquire.
Pre "Suits," Markle also worked as a briefcase holder on "Deal or No Deal," which she calls a "
ADVERTISEMENT
Until last fall, Markle leased an Audi SUV worth around $54,000. After that, she opted for a chauffeur to get to and from set.
Markle reportedly leased an Audi SUV worth around $54,000 while working on location in Toronto.
But according to the Daily Mail, she ended her lease agreement early last September, opting for a chauffeur to get to and from set.
Markle reportedly acted as a brand ambassador for the automaker and received special VIP pricing because of her "Suits" celebrity status.
Markle is a self-proclaimed 'foodie,' who uses her expensive Vitamix blender daily to make everything from pesto to shakes.
ADVERTISEMENT
The cast of "Suits" is close off-screen,
Markle's style is casual, trendy, and mostly affordable — like the $68 jeans she wore on her first official event with Prince Harry.
A bona fide celebrity, Markle is no stranger to high-fashion events.
Markle tends to favor casual and trendy styles, though, a contrast to her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton's more traditional and formal wardrobe.
Markle has been photographed in affordable pieces from Canadian fashion brands
ADVERTISEMENT
Long before she was flying commercial with fiancé Prince Harry, Markle was already a frequent flyer, splurging on glamorous trips around the world.
now-defunctThe Tig
Canada's World Vision Clean Water campaign.
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Best live dealer casino: Top USA live casinos online
Best real money online casinos USA: Top 10 casino sites in 2024
OPEC excited about partnership with Namibia
The US loses to Russia and China in popularity across Africa
Top 10 most valuable South African brands in 2024
Africa's giants play tug of war for the top economic spot
Morocco is making giant strides to become Africa's aviation manufacturing hub
Hackers test their ransomwares in less protected regions like Africa before striking richer nations: Report
