Marlo Thomas Remembers Her Husband of 44 Years Phil Donahue After His Death: 'I Lost My Sweetheart'

Mar. 15, 2025

Marlo Thomasis honoring her late husbandPhil Donahue.

In a lengthyInstagrampost, the actress thanked her followers for their support after Donahuedied at the age of 88. She also announced that she would be taking a hiatus from social media while she grieved her loss.

“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,” she continued.

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Phil Donahue (left) and Marlo Thomas (right).Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

A trailblazer in the daytime talk show industry, Donahue was the first to incorporate a studio audience into his show,The Donahue Show. That was also where he met his wife of 44 years.

“I met Phil on the Donahue Show in 1977 - instant chemistry!” Thomas captioned a video of the episode on her YouTube channel in 2012.

Phil Donahue (left) and Marlo Thomas (right).Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

“You are really fascinating,” Donahue said to Thomas, holding her hand.

“You are wonderful,” she replied. “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.”

She added, “Whoever is the woman in your life is very lucky.”

The pair got married three years later on May 21, 1980.

source: people.com