More than a year after the passing of renowned talk show host Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas opened up about her life since the loss of her husband, with whom she shared 44 years of marriage. The 88-year-old, who serves as the national outreach director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, missed her traditional appearance on TODAY during the holiday season of 2024 as she grieved Donahue, who passed away in August at the age of 88.
This week marked Thomas’s return to TODAY for her first television appearance since Donahue’s death, where she provided a brief update on November 25 about her well-being. “I’m doing well. I’m like Sheinelle,” she remarked, referencing TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones, who experienced the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, to brain cancer at 45 in May. Jones expressed gratitude for Thomas’s support during her own grief journey, describing her as “my Earth angel.”
Reflecting on the depth of her loss, Thomas expressed her miss for Donahue, stating, “Thank you. I miss him a lot.” Donahue’s passing was a family-centered affair, surrounded by loved ones, including Thomas, their children, grandchildren, and even their dog, as highlighted in a statement to TODAY.com following his death.
In the months following his passing, Thomas paid tribute to her late husband on social media, sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude while announcing her decision to take a break from social media to mourn. “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 conveyed.
Marlo Thomas first met Phil Donahue in 1972 as a guest on his talk show, reconnecting in 1977 while promoting her comedy “Thieves.” She once praised him on air, saying, “You are wonderful! I said it when we were off the air, but I want to say you are loving and generous, and you like women, and it’s a pleasure. Whoever is the woman in your life is very lucky.”
The couple, who married in 1980, co-authored a book in 2020 titled “What Makes a Marriage Last,” which features insights from various celebrity couples on maintaining long-lasting relationships. In a 2023 interview, Thomas revealed the three fundamental principles that she believed kept their relationship vibrant: “Love, listening, and lust.” She emphasized the importance of listening to truly understand and support each other.
Marlo Thomas’s journey through grief is a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love, support, and connection, showcasing her resilience during a profoundly challenging period.