A Life Shared: Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue's Incredible Journey
Marlo Thomas is grieving the loss of her beloved husband of 44 years, the legendary talk show host Phil Donahue, a man admired and respected by countless fans. Phil Donahue, who touched so many lives through his groundbreaking work, passed away at the age of 88 on August 18 after battling a long illness. The news was shared with the world in a heartfelt statement released by his family on August 19. What struck fans most about this remarkable broadcaster was his unwavering devotion to Marlo and their family, a bond that inspired countless others.
Marlo, the iconic star of That Girl, opened up about the secret to her enduring marriage with Phil during an intimate interview with Closer back in April 2020. Her insight was simple yet profound: communication was the cornerstone of their relationship.
The Early Days: Finding Balance in Love
Marlo candidly admitted that their journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. “In the beginning, we argued hot and heavy because we were in more of a power struggle,” she recalled. “But as the years went by, we learned to navigate those disagreements in a calmer, more constructive way. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
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One of the most significant lessons Marlo learned over the years was the art of truly listening. “Listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone says—it’s about understanding what they don’t say,” she explained. “It’s especially challenging for men, especially those raised in the ’40s and ’50s, to express themselves openly. For a long time, I kept offering advice to Phil, but after about a decade, he gently told me, ‘I don’t want you to tell me what to do—I just want you to listen.’”
Phil’s Perspective: A Marriage Built on Desire
For Phil, the secret to their enduring love was equally straightforward. “You have to genuinely want it,” he said. “Marriage isn’t something that happens by accident—it’s a commitment that requires effort and desire from both partners.”
Phil was a father of five children—Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James—whom he welcomed with his first wife, Margaret Cooney. Following their divorce in 1975, Phil’s four sons moved to live with him in Chicago, while his daughter stayed with her mother in New Mexico. Despite the challenges of co-parenting across two households, Phil remained a devoted father and a loving stepfather to Marlo’s children from her first marriage.
A Legacy of Love: Marlo’s Tribute to Phil
After the world learned of Phil’s passing, Marlo took to her Instagram page to share a deeply personal statement about her late husband. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night,” she wrote. “So, I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil and held him close to their hearts.”
“But I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you’ve let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years,” she continued. “As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you’ve been sharing.”
“Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip,” she concluded. Marlo chose to accompany her message with one of her favorite photos of her and Phil on vacation—a poignant reminder of their shared joy and love.
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