something else has gone wrong. Dont miss reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. He is married to Marlo Thomas. And Marlo Thomas was a guest on his show who completely changed the course of his life. The star spent the day enjoying it with her long-term husband, Phil Donahue, with whom she celebrated decades of marriage. He got into his second and current marriage in 1980 after he met Marlo Thomas on a show. Thomas had never been married or had kids, but their connection was instant, although the singer described their first date as awkward and their second one, fine., Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue in New York in 2020 | Source: Getty Images. Clara Bow was the original It girl. While other forty are, indeed, fascinating, Phil and Marlo's story what won our heart. This helped him understand that different people have different ideas about what a marriage is. The actress who never wanted to be married has now been married to Phil Donahue for over 42 years. Read More on The US Sun Listen, youre going to learn more about your significant other during the pandemic than you may have learned throughout the rest of your relationship. Her mother, Rose Marie, was an aspiring radio presenter and singer, but she quit her career to travel the country with her husband and start a family. They have special dinners and outings together. The secret sauce that we all have been looking for came in a package, with more than forty couples revealing what keeping them stick together. Before meeting Thomas, Donahue had a romantic history with his first wife, Margret Cooney, with whom he shares five children. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. They later described the meeting as "love at first sight." They still walk around holding hands, share a kiss in public, and dance together. Moderated by Chicago journalist, Rick Kogan, the couple revealed that their New York Times bestseller, Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long, fifty greatest television shows of all-time. Phil and Marlo's love affair began in 1977, on television, with an audience, when she appeared as a guest on the "Donahue" show. After his MSNBC show Donahue got cancelled in 2003, Phil became a published author. Bruce Willis Is Surrounded by Love and Family Amid Dementia Battle, Bruce Willis Family Is Heartbroken After His Dementia Diagnosis, Sailor Brinkley Cook Is Excited About Being Part of the Next Generation, Sean Kanan Suffered Scary Emergency on The Karate Kid III Set, Sailor Brinkley Cook Says Mom Christie Brinkley Is a Big Inspiration, Cary Grants Best Quality Was His Humility, Wife Barbara Jaynes Says, The Reason Why Acting Icon Estelle Parsons Agreed to Star on 'Roseanne'. The 81-year-old That Girl star and her husband of nearly 40 years, talk show icon Phil Donahue, 83, attended a wedding on the beach in Connecticut. We started to wonder if there really is a secret sauce to a successful marriage. RELATED: Drew Barrymore Says She And Her Mom Are Good Now, My dancing partner, he replied. Thomas was a famously single celebrity with no intention of getting married. Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas learned that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who have been married for 74 years, read the Bible to each other every night before going to bed. We did it., Donahue chimed in, Yeah, after 40 years here we are and you know once in a while I get to say a few things.. We know you all are already excited for the secret sauce! She admitted the transition was shocking: I went from having two dogs to having four boys and a husband.. Thomas: Whats clear? Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue have been married since 1980. an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking He has been married to Marlo Thomas since May 21, 1980. Everything was broken. One of the things that annoyed her were the lack of towels to dry after a shower. I've learned so much about marriage from them and their guests and I've been married for 11 years! The actress shared a video of her trimming Donahues hair, and he appeared terrified at first but eventually trusted his wife to do a good job. So Marlo, who never imagined herself becoming a mother at 43, suddenly inherited 5 children when she married Phil. Marlo Thomas is an American actress, producer, and social activist who has a net worth of $150 million. He said that behind every successful marriage is a whole collection of cans. That Girl was developed by writers Bill Persky and Sam Denoff, who had served as head writers on The Dick Van Dyke Show (with which Thomass father, Danny Thomas, was closely associated) earlier in the 1960s. The star [Marlo Thomas] became more caring and interested in the boys the more she lived with them, and eventually more mothering. They have been together for a long time and have a strong bond. Or something. See GMA Host Lara Spencers Bikini Photos, Why Did Sara Haines Disappear During an Episode of The View? The pair met after she was a guest on his show during the 1970s. However, it was clear that Thomas and Donahue had a beautiful connection and still do to this day as they continue to enjoy the ups and downs of married life. Thomas is also a feminist activist who participated in the 70s feminist movement. He is best known for being the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show also known as Donahue which was the first talk show format that included audience participation. Thomas: Kyra Sedgwick said, You have to go into marriage with no Plan B. If youre looking for the escape route, there are exit signs everywhere. Marlo Thomas is not having an affair with anyone presently. They phone from their New York apartment, where theyre happily, as it turns out sheltering in place. Phil Donahue is an American media personality, writer, film producer, and the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. As years went by, we settled into debating or arguing in a better, calmer way., It wasnt long before Marlo, 82, and Phil, 84, found out what makes each other tick. They say that these problems taught them something and helped them become closer. But despite all confusions and concerns regarding marriage, Thomas and Donahue are two people who are happily married together for over four decades. Sometimes, Donahue takes his wife to comedy clubs or sports games. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; She explained how she felt a union of two whole people could work compared to one of one and a half. Phillip John Donahue(born December 21, 1935) is an American media personality, writer, film producer and the creator and host ofThe Phil Donahue Show. Eventually, she found comfort in the dining room, where she would do some reading. But the 81-year-old former That Girl actress and the 83-year-old talk-show host veteran don't get photographed together very often. This quality time is also extended to the couples grandchildren. Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas have been married for four decades but they are only opening up about it now. What's important to notice is that Phil doesn't have any kids with his second wife. Thomashas a long list of accomplishments to be proud of over the course of her long-lasting and increasingly successful career. However, Donahue came along and changed her mind. Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue's Life in Their 80s Thomas said she did not doubt that she could be loyal or love someone, but she thought marriage was not a space for two people but rather an environment for one and a half personsone person with a successful career and a half person who supports and puts their career aspirations on the back burner. Phil Donahue became well-known because of his show . By NATIONAL ENQUIRER STAFF. His shows have often focused on issues that divideliberalsandconservativesin the United States, such asabortion,consumer protection,civil rightsandwarissues. While Phil was in the bathroom, a woman on the plane the couple took to Greece for their honeymoon told Marlo that she was disappointed that she had given up being independent. The actress continued explaining her reasoning: It seems like its only a place for one-and-a-half persons, you know, the person that has the dream and the other person who supports the dream. The Sunday Morning interviewer wanted to know where Marlo got the idea. Her father was a famous television personality, Danny Thomas, who traveled the country as a comedian and eventually landed his show, The Danny Thomas Show., Marlo Thomas in New York in 2019 | Source: Getty Images. In 2002,Donahuewas ranked twenty-ninth onTV Guidemagazines list of thefifty greatest television shows of all-time. They marry someone who puts them down or is abusive in some way or isnt really invested in making their dreams come true, she explains. This story really touched us and enlightened us with simple words. They tied the knot on 21 May 1980 and residing in Manhattan, USA. Thomas and Donahue first met in 1977 when Thomas was a guest on Donahue's show. Phil's (born Phillip John Donahue) first-ever show, 'Donahue,' which included the participation of live audiences, ran for 29 years. It was a real double date and it was fun and I learned stuff about Phil and he learned stuff about me. Then, as you may know, I went on this talk show and met the host: a handsome, charming Irishman named Phil Donahue. Well, there you have it, as simple it sounds, which is, in fact, is simple too unless we make it complicated. Thomas is an American actress and first met Phil when she was a guest on . . A post shared by Marlo Thomas (@marlothomas). Nowadays, Thomas is known for being an actress, producer, and author. Possible real estate crash after [TR] elections. Even though Marlo had never intended to marry, she once admitted that it was awful being away from her husband. Danny said the female audience was lucky to spend an hour with two of the worlds most attractive men. Before they married, Marlo had no interest in the institution, but her husband managed to twist her arm. Marlo shared how her dreams of becoming a mother were frustrated by her ambitions and society. We said, do we have a big party? says Thomas. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born December 21, 1935 He said, Its not that we wanted a referee; we wanted an interpreter. We think we know what our mate is thinking all the time, but we really dont. . ADVERTISEMENT In 1977, Donahue had Thomas as a guest on his talk show. But real problems come when we complicate the simplest of things. did marlo thomas ever date ted bessell. Q: One of the conclusions you made in your book is that there is no one secret to a lasting marriage that there are a million secrets, and you must keep looking for them. Marlo Thomas never intended to marry until she met talk show host Phil Donahue, who was divorced with five children. The singer said while she marched, she thought of how much her mother had left behind to be a present parent. While looking back on her life, Marlo says theres no one she would have married other than Phil. So, according to them, Just like any other couple, the two were trying to find the secret sauce to a successful marriage. Phillip John Donahue (born December 21, 1935) is an American media personality, writer, film producer and the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show.The television program, later known simply as Donahue, was the first talk show format that included audience participation. Donahue then met his future wife, a popular actress . Thomas felt she had nowhere to go. They decided to separate, intending not to bring misery into each others lives. Back in March 2020, Thomas spoke withAARPabout the secrets behind her successful marriage to Donahue. ACTRESS Marlo Thomas has been married to former daytime talk show host Phil Donahue for 40 years. In the April/May issue of AARP the Magazine, married couple Marlo Thomas . Although Marlo did not have kids of her own, she helped raise Phil's five children f She has received fourEmmys, aGolden Globe, and aPeabody Awardfor her work in television, and she has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. In 1977, Marlo appeared on his chat program and met "That Girl" actress. in 1965. He is an actor and producer, known for Body of War (2007), Donahue (1967) and The Bold and the Beautiful (1987). Donahue: I have to admit that [usually] we have a lovely housekeeper thats been with us for 30 years, and we do not do the laundry ourselves. But have you ever wondered about his personal life? The book is a New York Times bestseller and can be purchased for $25 hardcover on Amazon or $15 from Audiobooks. The couple eventually walked down the aisle in 1981, and Thomas had to live with five men after having lived with only two dogs. I went on his show, and that was the end of story, as they say, Thomas toldABC 7in June 2021. Photo Source: Daily Mail. 6 Marlo Thomas is married to daytime television icon Phil DonahueCredit: Getty Images - Getty Who is Phil Donahue? Phil and Marlo got married on May 21, 1980. Something chemical happened, she reiterated. You Might Like: Matt Keough Wife - Find Out About Late All-Star Picther's Married Life. I fell in love." See Celebrity Couples Who Fell Madly in Love at First Sight The couple dated for two years and got married in May. They have been together for a long time and have a strong bond. Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue met after Phil's first marriage ended, and they have formed a friendship that will last a lifetime. 2023 All rights are reserved Today headline. Fortunately, with Donahue's constant reassurance, the couple married in 1980. After 40 years of marriage, Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue are exploring the secrets to a successful union with the help of some Hollywood pals. That poor woman. That is a combined net worth with her husband since 1980, talk show personality Phil Donahue . The long-term couple caught up with The Drew Barrymore Show on Thursday and dished on why they are so secretive of their relationship. Donahue is one of the most influential talk show hosts and has been called the king of daytime talk.Oprah Winfreyhas stated, If it werent for Phil Donahue, there would never have been an Oprah Show.In 1996, Donahue was ranked #42 onTV Guides 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. However, with time, Thomas got closer to the kids and loved spending time with them. Marlo Thomas is married to Phil Donahue {Compare Couple}. His reason for stepping away from church came from how he ended his first marriage. Margaret JuliaMarloThomas(born November 21, 1937) is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist best known for starring on the sitcomThat Girl(19661971) and her award-winningchildrens franchiseFree to Be You and Me. She is married to Phil Donahue and is an active spokesperson for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Prior to their marriage, he was married to Margaret Cooney which lasted from 1958 to 1975, ending in divorce after they had five children. "It was a very big thing for me to see that marriage could be a roomy enough place for my dream and his dream. ACTRESS Marlo Thomas has been married to former daytime talk show host Phil Donahue for 40 years. Marlo credits their near 40-year marriage to having good communication. She created the Thanks & Giving campaign in 2004 to support the hospital. She had once said, I really like his kids. She even said the writers wanted to change the storyline and have a six-year-old nephew or aunt visit her character because people feared presenting a single woman with no family on television.