Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha sues her over Oprah Winfrey interview, actress reacts
Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Markle is suing the actress for defaming her in the explosive interview she and Prince Harry gave Oprah Winfrey over a year ago. Samantha, 57, alleges Meghan, 40, made "false and malicious statements" during the sit-down, according to court documents acquired by Page Six.
Samantha is accusing the former 'Suits' star of fraudulently claiming to be "an only kid" and believes Meghan lied about when they last saw each other.
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"The defamatory implication is that Plaintiff had no relationship whatsoever with her sister Meghan, they were virtual strangers and that Plaintiff has created a lucrative career selling false stories to tabloids and television programs when she knows nothing about Defendant’s childhood," the filing states.
Samantha goes on to accuse Meghan of criticizing their father, Thomas Markle, in order to give the world a fake "rags-to-royalty" story about her life.
"Meghan falsely claimed that: (a) she essentially raised herself from virtual poverty; (b) she was forced from the age of 13 to work in a series of low-paying jobs to 'make ends meet,'" according to the complaint, which also accuses Meghan of deceiving the public about Thomas' absence from her 2018 wedding.
"Mr. Markle suffered two heart attacks in the weeks before Defendant’s wedding in May 2018 due to stress associated with the Royal wedding, the constant hounding and harassment by paparazzi and other media, and upsetting text messages he received from Defendant and Prince Harry, and Mr Markle’s cardiologist told him he was too sick to travel to England for the wedding; Mr. Markle did not refuse to attend the wedding, but was instructed by his doctor not to attend the wedding," the complaint concluded.
Samantha also alleges that her half-sister "published and disseminated false and malicious statements about the Plaintiff in the New York Times best-selling book, 'Finding Freedom,'" which she refers to as "nothing more than a book of lies (hereinafter referred to as Defendant's 'fairy tale life' story)." Samantha has claimed $75,000 in damages, as well as court and legal fees.
Meanwhile, Meghan's representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Page Six, but her attorney, Michael Kump, told TMZ: "This baseless and absurd lawsuit is just a continuation of a pattern of disturbing behavior. We will give it the minimum attention necessary, which is all it deserves. "
