In a world where wealth is often celebrated yet quietly judged, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has opened up about a deeply personal struggle that resonates with many: the complex emotions tied to financial success. During the season finale of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, aired on May 27, 2025, Meghan sat down with Sara Blakely, the billionaire founder of Spanx, to discuss entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the taboo topic of money. Her candid admission about feeling a “guilt mentality” surrounding wealth and a persistent fear of “never having enough” has sparked widespread conversation, shedding light on the psychological and societal pressures that even the affluent face.
A Royal Transition: From Actress to Entrepreneur
Meghan Markle’s journey to wealth is a story of reinvention. Before marrying Prince Harry in 2018, she was a successful actress, best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. Her career in Hollywood provided financial stability, but it was her marriage into the British royal family that catapulted her into global prominence. The couple’s lavish wedding, estimated to cost $42.8 million (mostly for security, funded by taxpayers), symbolized a life of privilege. However, in 2020, Meghan and Harry made the bold decision to step back from royal duties, relocating to Montecito, California, to forge an independent path.
This transition was not without challenges. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry revealed that the royal family had “literally cut [him] off financially,” forcing the couple to rely on an inheritance from his late mother, Princess Diana, to fund their new life. Harry emphasized that his primary goal was to secure enough money to ensure his family’s safety, particularly through private security arrangements. Since then, Meghan and Harry, with an estimated combined net worth of $60 million, have pursued high-profile ventures, including a multi-year Netflix deal reportedly worth $100 million, a now-terminated Spotify partnership, and Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. These endeavors have solidified their financial independence, yet Meghan’s recent comments reveal that wealth does not erase emotional complexities.
The Podcast Revelation: Guilt and Scarcity Mindset
During her conversation with Sara Blakely, Meghan addressed the societal conditioning that shapes women’s relationships with money. She noted that women are often discouraged from openly discussing finances, leading to a “guilt mentality” when they achieve significant wealth. This guilt, she suggested, is compounded by a “scarcity mindset”—a pervasive fear that no matter how much one has, it will never be enough. Meghan expressed a desire to adopt a healthier perspective, inspired by Blakely’s philosophy that money can be “fun to make, spend, and give away” and that it amplifies one’s true character.
Meghan’s remarks were not just abstract musings; they were tied to her own experiences as an entrepreneur. Her As Ever brand, launched in March 2025, made waves when its initial product line—featuring jams, flower sprinkles, and tea—sold out in under an hour. Despite this success, Meghan has taken a cautious approach, announcing plans to analyze customer feedback before releasing new products in early 2026. She also hinted at exploring fashion in the future, a category she finds “interesting” given her background in style and branding. Her podcast, produced by Archewell Audio and Lemonada Media, has provided a platform to share these ambitions while connecting with other female founders.
Societal Context: Women, Wealth, and Taboos
Meghan’s comments tap into a broader cultural conversation about women and wealth. Historically, women have faced unique pressures when navigating financial success. Social norms often discourage women from being overtly ambitious or discussing money, framing such behavior as unladylike or aggressive. This conditioning can lead to internalized guilt, particularly for those who, like Meghan, transition from modest beginnings to significant affluence. Her pre-royal life as a working actress, coupled with her biracial identity, likely shaped her awareness of these dynamics, as she navigated industries where wealth and privilege are unevenly distributed.
The “scarcity mindset” Meghan described is a psychological phenomenon rooted in fear and uncertainty. Even for those with substantial resources, the anxiety of losing it all can persist, driven by past experiences or societal instability. For Meghan and Harry, the abrupt loss of royal funding and the high costs of private security (estimated at millions annually) may have heightened this fear, despite their current wealth. Their move to Montecito, a haven for celebrities, and their reliance on high-profile deals reflect a strategic effort to maintain their lifestyle while building a legacy for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Public Reaction: Admiration and Skepticism
Meghan’s openness about her financial mindset has elicited mixed responses. Supporters praise her for addressing a taboo topic and highlighting the emotional challenges of wealth, particularly for women. They argue that her vulnerability humanizes her, offering a relatable perspective for those grappling with similar feelings, regardless of their bank balance. Her focus on female entrepreneurship, as seen in her podcast and brand, positions her as a mentor for aspiring businesswomen, encouraging them to embrace financial ambition without shame.
Critics, however, question the authenticity of her remarks, given her privileged lifestyle. Some online commentators, particularly on platforms like Reddit, have labeled her comments a “humble brag,” suggesting she is flaunting her wealth under the guise of introspection. Others speculate that her fear of “never having enough” reflects financial strain, pointing to the couple’s reported reliance on friends’ private jets and the lack of new As Ever product releases since the initial launch. These criticisms are amplified by ongoing scrutiny of Meghan’s public persona, with some accusing her of inconsistency in portraying herself as both a victim of circumstance and a triumphant entrepreneur.
Meghan’s Entrepreneurial Vision: Balancing Ambition and Reflection
Despite the polarized reactions, Meghan remains focused on her entrepreneurial journey. Her As Ever brand, inspired by her love for hospitality and home, aims to carve out a niche in the competitive lifestyle market. The brand’s rapid sell-out success suggests strong consumer interest, but Meghan’s decision to “step back” and refine its direction indicates a strategic mindset. She has expressed a desire to align the brand with seasonal customer needs, potentially focusing on a single core product or expanding into new categories like home goods or fashion.
Her podcast, while concluding its first season without confirmation of a second, has been a platform for meaningful conversations. Guests like Sara Blakely have offered insights into building billion-dollar businesses, while Meghan’s anecdotes—such as gaining 65 pounds during her pregnancies and navigating high heels as a working royal—add a personal touch. These stories bridge her past as a royal with her present as a businesswoman, creating a narrative of resilience and adaptability.
The Bigger Picture: Wealth as a Double-Edged Sword
Meghan’s revelation underscores a universal truth: wealth, while empowering, does not shield one from emotional or societal pressures. Her comments challenge the assumption that the rich are immune to financial anxiety, highlighting how deeply ingrained beliefs about money can persist across economic strata. For women, these pressures are often magnified by expectations of modesty and selflessness, making Meghan’s willingness to confront them publicly significant.
As she navigates her post-royal life, Meghan is redefining what it means to be a wealthy woman in the public eye. Her ventures, from As Ever to Confessions of a Female Founder, reflect a commitment to financial independence and female empowerment. Yet her admission of guilt and fear reveals a human side, reminding us that even those in $14 million mansions grapple with the same insecurities as the rest of us. Whether her candor will reshape public perception or fuel further debate, one thing is clear: Meghan Markle’s journey is far from over, and her voice continues to spark conversation.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Meghan?
As 2026 approaches, Meghan’s fans and critics alike await the next chapter of her entrepreneurial saga. Will As Everexpand into a fashion empire, or will it remain a boutique brand focused on curated products? Will her podcast return to inspire another season of female founders? And how will she balance her ambitions with the emotional complexities of wealth? For now, Meghan’s revelation about guilt and scarcity offers a glimpse into her inner world, inviting us to reflect on our own relationships with money and success.
