Thomas Markle underwent life-saving surgery to have left leg amputated below the knee
Thomas Markle - Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's dad - had been rushed to hospital on Tuesday (02.12.25) after being told by doctors that his "life was in imminent danger".
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's dad Thomas Markle has had his left leg amputated below the knee to save his life.
On Wednesday (03.12.25), the 81-year-old retired TV lighting director - who was hospitalized in his adopted home of the Philippines on Tuesday (02.12.25) - underwent the three-hour operation to remove his left foot and lower leg after the limb went black as a blood clot stopped blood circulation.
His son Thomas Jr., 59, told the Daily Mail newspaper: "My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital, and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.
"There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed, and it was a case of life or death."
Thomas - who is "stable" in the intensive care unit following the "life-threatening emergency" - now needs to have a blood clot in his left thigh removed.
And his son says doctors remain "extremely concerned" for his dad's welfare.
Thomas Jr. added: "One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in - sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying. There was no option given.
"It was either, 'We have to operate now and remove the leg, or he may die.' It was a life-threatening situation."
Thomas has been "heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs" and "hooked up to all kinds of machines" since he was rushed to a hospital in Cebu, the Philippines, on Tuesday.
It comes as doctors told him his "life was in imminent danger".
Earlier this week, Thomas Jr. told the publication: "I took dad to a hospital close to our home, and they did various scans, and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger.
"They raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the center of the city. My dad has undergone emergency surgery. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts."
Thomas moved to the Philippines earlier this year to create a new life away from the "constant pain" of having no communication with Meghan, 44, since she married Prince Harry, 41, in 2018.
Thomas - who has been in frail health in recent years - has also never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and four year old Princess Lilibet.
And Thomas Jr. has urged the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to reach out to Thomas.
Thomas Jr. said: "I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad."
However, the Markles are "grateful" for all the love and well-wishes people from around the world have given to Thomas.
Thomas Jr. said: "The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love and well-wishes from people around the globe, particularly from Britain.
"We thank everyone for their support and ask that you keep sending positive thoughts for Dad's recovery."
