More than a year after the death of famed talk show host Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas shared an update on TODAY on how she’s doing since losing her husband of 44 years.
Thomas, 88, who is the national outreach director at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, did not appear in his usual presence today around the holidays in 2024 as he mourned the passing of Donahue, who died in August 2024 at the age of 88.
She returned to Today this week for her first television appearance since Donohue’s death and gave a quick update on her life after his death on November 25.
“I’m doing good. I’m like Sheinelle,” she said, in reference to TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones, who lost her husband, Uche Ojeh, to brain cancer at the age of 45 in May.
Sheinel said today that Thomas has helped her cope with her grief.
“She has been my earth angel,” Sheinley said.
Thomas said in reference to Donahue, “Thank you. I miss him a lot.”
The family said in a statement to TODAY.com in August 2024 that Donahue died with Thomas, his children, his grandchildren, his sister and their dog at his side.
In the wake of his death, Thomas wrote a tribute to her late husband and a message of gratitude on Instagram, while also writing that she was taking a break from social media to mourn his loss.
“Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days with family and friends, and I hope you continue to hold those you love most close to you, as I had the privilege of doing with my sweet Philip,” she wrote.
Thomas, also an actor, first met Donahue as a guest on her talk show in 1972, then again when she returned in 1977 to promote his comedy “Thieves.”
“You’re amazing! I said this when we were off the air, but I want to say that you’re loving and generous, and you like women, and that’s a pleasure,” she told him on the show. “The woman you have in your life is very lucky.”
The couple, who married in 1980, wrote a book together in 2020, titled “What Makes a Marriage Last.” It includes a collection of conversations with famous married couples about their longevity secrets.
Thomas shared the three L’s she’s been following to keep her relationship with Donahue fresh over the years.
“Love, listening and lust,” he told People in 2023.
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