The Duchess of Sussex shared intimate photos of her late friend and mentor, including Steinem visiting her family in Montecito and a sweet moment with a toddler Prince Archie
Credit: Meghan/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Meghan Markle paid tribute to her friend and mentor Gloria Steinem
- In a social media tribute, Meghan wrote that she was grateful to know that Steinem “knew exactly how loved and admired she was”
- Steinem died on Sept. 2 at age 92
Meghan Markle is remembering Gloria Steinem not only as a trailblazing feminist icon, but as a beloved friend and mentor.
Steinem, the legendary feminist activist, journalist and co-founder of Ms. magazine, died peacefully at her home in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 2. She was 92. On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Duchess of Sussex shared a personal tribute to Steinem on Instagram, revealing how their friendship extended far beyond their public advocacy work.
“Celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, Gloria Steinem, and also grateful to know that in these last few weeks and days she knew exactly how loved and admired she was,” Meghan began. “You all know her many accolades and the way in which she helped shape the world for women and all people – “we are linked, not ranked” she would tell me, and the bracelet she gave me said exactly that. I still wear it with pride.”
Credit: Meghan/Instagram
Meghan and Steinem first connected in 2020 and went on to work together on causes including voter participation and women’s equality. In 2023, Steinem presented Meghan with the Ms. Foundation’s Women of Vision Award. But in her tribute, Meghan opened up about the much more private side of their bond.
“Privately, she was even better than you would imagine,” Meghan wrote, recalling how Steinem spent Thanksgiving with her family, “introduc[ed] me to one of my best friends (forever the champion of female friendship),” loved her children “with her whole heart” and counseled Meghan “during hard times.”
Credit: Meghan/Instagram
She also recalled how Steinem would give “extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivaled cheekiness and wit.”
The Duchess of Sussex then recalled her “very favorite story about Glo,” from a day when Steinem was out in New York and a woman approached her in awe, saying she wanted to introduce her young daughter — though she was embarrassed that the girl might not know who Steinem was.
Steinem replied: “It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is.”
Credit: Meghan/Instagram
Meghan ended her tribute with a final message to her friend: “Rest in peace, and rest in pride. Look at what you’ve done for all of us. Thank you.”
The Duchess of Sussex shared three personal photos alongside her tribute, including Steinem visiting her in Montecito and reaching out to a toddler Prince Archie, and the two friends with their arms around each other at Steinem’s New York City apartment.
A joint post shared on Steinem’s Instagram with Gloria’s Foundation confirmed that the women’s liberation leader “passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her.”
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
“Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” the post continued, in part. “She spent her recent years doing the two things she loved most: being in community with others and writing.”
“In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her with a gift, may make a donation to Gloria’s Foundation,” the post concluded.
Read the full article here
