Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue has died at the age of 88 following a historic career in television.
But the TV icon also famously had a decades-long love story with fellow small screen star Marlo Thomas.
Donahue met his second wife Marlo when she appeared as a guest on his eponymous talk show in 1977. Just three years later they were married.
They have served as relationship role models ever since, offering relationship tips in the 2020 book they wrote together, What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life, and interviewing other ‘famous long-marrieds’ on their joint podcast, Double Date.
In May they celebrated 44 years of marriage, with Marlo, 86, posting a gushing tribute to her long-time partner on Instagram along with a snap from their wedding day.
Phil Donahue famously had a decades-long marriage with actress Marlo Thomas after meeting on his talk show in 1977; pictured 2020
‘Today is Phil’s and my 44th anniversary! I can’t believe it. It seems more like 20 years. It was a happy day in May and it’s happy still! We are blessed and so grateful we found each other. Here we are May 21, 1980. Happy anniversary my darling,’ she wrote in the caption.
Recalling their first meeting on Facebook, she described how there ‘was instant chemistry’ between them.
‘Phil and I met on his talk show, “Donahue,” in 1977,’ Thomas wrote at the time.
‘He flirted, I giggled, and his TV audience watched us fall in love.’
The chemistry was definitely undeniable as the duo chatted on stage together.
‘I’m sorry that we are out of time. You are really fascinating,’ Phil told Marlo during her appearance as he reached for her hand.
‘You are wonderful!’ Marlo replied, placing her hand atop his. ‘I said it when we were off-air and you are loving and generous and you like women and it’s a pleasure. And whoever’s the woman in your life is very lucky!’ she said.
The two began dating before becoming man and wife three years later.
He is seen here interviewing his eventual wife Marlo in 1977, before they went on to marry three years later
The chemistry was definitely undeniable during their first meeting
Marlo rose to fame starring on the hit series That Girl and enjoyed continued success in Hollywood in the years to follow. She even had a role on Friends as Jennifer Aniston’s on-screen mother.
Prior to his marriage with Marlo, Donahue was married to his college sweetheart Margaret Cooney from 1958 to 1975.
The former couple have four sons and one daughter together – Michael, Kevin, Daniel, James, and Mary Rose.
Since beginning her relationship with Donahue, Marlo has forged a ‘strong’ friendship with her stepchildren.
‘Phil and I met on his talk show, “Donahue,” in 1977,’ Thomas wrote at the time, recalling ‘the instant chemistry. She added: ‘He flirted, I giggled, and his TV audience watched us fall in love.’ The pair would go on to marry in 1980; pictured 1996
‘From the very first day, I decided that I was not going to try to be a “mother” to Phil’s children in the traditional sense — they already had a mom — but, instead, to be their friend,’ she told AARP in 2011.
‘I’m proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago — even stronger.’
Marlo previously waxed lyrical about her ‘lust’ for her husband in a candid 2023 interview with People.
The Friends actress credited her physical attraction to her husband as well as their ability to listen to one another with the strength of their union.
Speaking at the Women In Media Foundation’s 48th Annual Gracie Awards Gala last year, the star said: ‘I call it the three L’s. Love, listening, and lust. Those are the three L’s.
Thomas famously starred in the hit sitcom That Girl
The couple enjoyed a long-lasting relationship which saw them write a book together about marriage
‘You have to listen and then you’ll know what the other person is really thinking and going through. You have to love each other. And without lust, you don’t have anything.
‘He’s the best, I’m very lucky.’
Donahue died Sunday following a lengthy illness, his family has announced.
The host of The Phil Donahue Show passed away at the age of 88 while surrounded by relatives, including his actress wife Marlo, at his home.
A talk-show trailblazer, his program was the first of its kind, including now commonplace concepts like audience participation.
It ran for nearly 30 years, solidifying the onetime news reporter’s place in the annals of TV history.
Donahue had recently been awarded the presidential medal of freedom for his storied career.
The host of The Phil Donahue Show passed away at the age of 88 while surrounded by relatives, including his actress wife Marlo, at his home
Donahue had recently been awarded the presidential medal of freedom for his storied career
Donahue is survived by his wife sister, children, and grandchildren, all of whom were by his side Sunday night when he passed, their statement said.
Also present was his beloved golden retriever, Charlie, as the illness he had been battling remains unknown.
