Marlo Thomas Shares First Update Over 1 Year After Death of Husband Phil Donahue

Marlo Thomas is opening up about her grief journey following the death of her late husband Phil Donahue.

in a presence at Today On the show on Tuesday, November 25, Thomas, 88, spoke about her husband’s passing for the first time since his death on August 18, 2024.

She said in reference, “I’m doing good. I’m like Sheinelle.” Today Journalist Sheinelle Jones, whose husband Uche Ojeh, died of brain cancer in May at the age of 45.

“She’s been my Earth angel,” Jones, 47, gushed.

Thomas said of Donahue, “Thank you. I miss him a lot.”

Thomas also appeared to open the show on Monday, November 24. TodayThomas Thomas’s annual Thanks & Giving series, which highlights the remarkable work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a facility founded by his father, Danny Thomas, in 1962.

Created and hosted by Donahue The Phil Donahue Show. Donahue’s family said in a statement that he died at his home surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, as well as “his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.” Today Reported on August 19, 2024.

The statement said he “passed away peacefully after a long illness.” He was 88 years old.

After her husband’s death, that girl The alum wrote a lengthy Instagram tribute.

“Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days with family and friends, and I hope you keep those you love most close to you, just as I had the privilege of having with my beloved Philip,” she wrote in part.

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Donahue and Thomas married in 1980, having met in 1977 when she was a guest on his talk show. In an old post on Facebook, Thomas shared that “it was instant chemistry.” The couple later co-wrote the book What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Iconic Couples Share With Us the Secrets of a Happy Life In 2020.

In May 2023, Thomas told People that “love, listening and lust” were the keys to her happy marriage with Donahue.

“You have to listen, and then you find out what the other person is really thinking and going through. You have to love each other. And without lust, you have nothing,” she said, before adding, “He’s the best. I’m so lucky.”