Marlo Thomas Expresses Gratitude to Fans After the Passing of Husband Phil Donahue
Marlo Thomas, beloved actress and wife of talk show legend Phil Donahue, has broken her silence following the death of her husband. The couple, who shared over 40 years of marriage, has long been admired for their deep bond and mutual respect.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday, Thomas shared a nostalgic photo of the couple enjoying a vacation together. In the image, Thomas lovingly wraps her arms around Donahue as they sit on a moped, capturing a moment of their cherished time together.
Thomas wrote, “By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night. 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.”
Phil Donahue, a pioneering figure in television known for revolutionizing the talk show format with his iconic program, “The Phil Donahue Show,” passed away on Sunday at the age of 88 after a long illness.
In her post, Thomas expressed deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from fans, thanking them for their “beautiful messages” and for allowing her and Phil to “share our life adventure with you over the years.”
She added, “Phil, who spent his career loving his audiences, got such a kick out of our cozy little community here. I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you’ve been sharing.”
The couple’s love story began in 1977 when Thomas appeared as a guest on Donahue’s talk show. Their connection was immediate, and they married three years later, on May 21, 1980. Reflecting on their meeting, Thomas once said in a 2020 interview with USA TODAY, “We went out the very next night and were together from then on. It’s so interesting. I went on a lot of talk shows in my life. I didn’t fall in love with Johnny Carson, you know?”
The enduring strength of their relationship inspired their 2020 book, “What Makes a Marriage Last,” which they co-wrote.
Thomas concluded her Instagram post with a poignant message: “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.”
