At the TIME100 Summit held in New York City on Apr. 23, 2025, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, participated in an on-stage conversation with TIME CEO Jessica Sibley. During the event, Meghan candidly discussed the emotional challenges of living in the public eye and how she has learned to navigate criticism across various aspects of her career.
Her appearance also coincided with the launch of a new creative project: a podcast titled “Confessions of a Female Founder.” The series focuses on conversations with women entrepreneurs and creatives, highlighting their journeys, challenges, and resilience. Meghan emphasized the importance of spotlighting women whose stories often go untold: “They are so under-resourced and under-supported. That is very, very important to me.”
Through this platform, she aimed to provide visibility and encouragement to other female leaders, drawing from her own experience as a public personality and businesswoman.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, also shared a humorous yet sobering quote that has stuck with her, spoken by comedian and writer Tina Fey: “If you ever start to feel good about yourself, they have this thing called the internet, and you can find a lot of people there who don’t like you.” The quote, while lighthearted, underscored the emotional toll of online scrutiny and the importance of staying grounded.
Meghan spoke candidly about managing public criticism and protecting her well-being in the spotlight. As a mother and entrepreneur, she explained that she had “made a very, very conscious effort to create boundaries for myself and for my mental health, for my well-being and certainly to role model that as well for my children.”
Motherhood has significantly influenced how Meghan approaches self-care and emotional resilience. Meghan revealed that raising her 5-year-old son, Prince Archie, and 3-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, had helped her become more intentional about what she internalizes.
“I’m conscious of not just raising very strong and confident young woman, but also having a son,” she remarked. “I think it’s just as paramount of importance for young men to be raised with a confidence and sense of self that is going to empower the women around them too.”
This intentionality also shaped how she engages with public discourse.
“It starts with whatever is going on internally,” she said. “When I am able to not even just tune out whatever that noise is, (but) to really not give it any credence, that has become so much a part of my day-to-day life.”
She admitted this sometimes results in her being unaware of trending conversations.
“Things will get brought to my attention on a need-to-know basis outside of that,” she reflected. “That’s part of what I find to bring me peace. It also helps me have very, very strategic focus on the intention of the products, the creative, the producer work that we’re doing that I want to bring to the table.”
In one of the most heartfelt moments of her talk, Meghan offered a deeply personal insight.
“A confession for you today that I can very comfortably say is that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she said, before mentioning her husband, Prince Harry. “To have a partner and a husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful… I never would have imagined at this point I would feel so happy and grateful, and I really do.”
Whether it’s re-engaging with Instagram, managing reactions to her lifestyle brand As Ever, or reading reviews about her Netflix docuseries “With Love, Meghan,” it’s refreshing to see Meghan acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with being a public figure and entrepreneur.
Meghan Markle’s journey is a powerful reminder to prioritize peace and purpose – how are you protecting your well-being today? Let us know, and then pass this along to someone in your life who might need a reminder!
