Pioneering television host Phil Donahue died on August 18 at the age of 88. Following his death, his wife of over four decades, Marlo Thomas, released a statement honoring his groundbreaking career and voicing appreciation for the outpouring of support the family has received since.
86-year-old Marlo Thomas boasts a six-decade-long career as an actress, author, producer, and activist. In addition to being inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, she boasts three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
Marlo Thomas shares a statement of love, gratitude, and grief after the death of her husband, Phil Donahue
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“Hello, Friends,” Thomas began her statement. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so 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.”
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She added, “But I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you’ve let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years.”
Thomas said in tribute to Donahue, “As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, 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.”
The ultimate TV power couple
Her post is accompanied by a dreamy throwback photo of the two of them seated on a bike together, all smiles staring at the camera with her arms wrapped around him. Their love story began in 1977 when Thomas was a guest on his show, by then named Donahue. For them, it was “love at first sight,” and their “instant chemistry,” as Thomas put it, spilled out into the episode. Donahue offered praise like “You are really fascinating” and Thomas replied, “You are wonderful.” Recounting the day in a 2012 YouTube video, she elaborated, “I said it when we were off the air and 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.”
On a fresh spring day on May 21, 1980, they were wed in holy matrimony.
Originally based on Chicago, Thomas relocated to New York, bringing his daughter and some of his sons, to be with Thomas full-time; he continued producing his talk show there. “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,” she explained upon becoming stepmother to his kids from his previous marriage, “they already had a mom—but, instead, to be their friend. I’m proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago—even stronger.”
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