Marlo Thomas’ Final Farewell to Husband Phil Donahue: Reflecting on Love and Legacy
In the final weeks before the passing of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas took to social media to share cherished memories and poignant reflections, seemingly aware that their time together was coming to an end. The couple, who had been married for 44 years, was a beacon of love and partnership in the public eye, and Thomas’ heartfelt posts offered a window into their deep connection.
On July 25, Thomas shared a touching throwback photo on Instagram, showing herself and Donahue embracing during a summer sunset in 2009 aboard their boat, Mugsy. “It’s hard to believe this was 15 years ago; it feels like yesterday,” Thomas wrote in the caption, reminiscing about how they still loved watching the sunset together all these years later. This image, filled with warmth and nostalgia, would be the last she shared with her husband before his death at 88.
In the weeks that followed, Thomas continued to post meaningful quotes that seemed to echo the themes of love, loss, and the preciousness of time. On August 7, she posted a quote by Rachel Macy Stafford: “Let love start this day. Let love end this day. Let love transform the minutes in between,” along with a photo of two people hugging. Just days before Donahue’s passing, she shared another quote, this time from Tennessee Williams: “We live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.” These posts, rich with emotion, reflected the profound love and awareness of the inevitable that marked their final days together.
Phil Donahue, a titan in the world of television, passed away on a Sunday night after a prolonged illness. Known for revolutionizing the talk show format with “The Phil Donahue Show,” which ran for 29 years, he became a household name, celebrated for his interviews with some of the most significant figures of the 20th century, including Nelson Mandela and numerous celebrities like Muhammad Ali and Jamie Lee Curtis. Donahue’s contributions to the media earned him 20 Emmy Awards, including 10 for Outstanding Host and another 10 for his groundbreaking show.
Thomas confirmed her husband’s death in an emotional Instagram post on Monday, expressing her deep sorrow and announcing a break from social media to grieve. In her post, she described Donahue as her “sweetheart” and thanked their followers for the outpouring of love and support. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night,” she wrote. “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.”
Thomas continued, “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.” She concluded her message by wishing her followers “good health and happy days in the company of family and friends,” and urged them to cherish their loved ones just as she had cherished her time with Donahue.
Donahue’s impact extended far beyond his talk show. He made history by becoming the first person to interview Nelson Mandela after the South African leader’s release from prison and was also the first American talk show host to broadcast from the Soviet Union. His legacy was further solidified when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice—once from President Barack Obama in 2014 and most recently from President Joe Biden in May 2024, just months before his death.
As Marlo Thomas steps away to mourn, she leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, a poignant reminder of the strength of their bond and the lasting impact Phil Donahue had on the world.
