Marlo Thomas recently shared a deeply personal message on social media following the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue. The news of Donahue’s passing was confirmed by Thomas and his family in an official statement.
In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Marlo Thomas honored her late husband, the iconic TV host Phil Donahue. Accompanying the post was a cherished photo of the couple, capturing one of her favorite memories with him. The emotional message, posted on August 19, expressed her sorrow and gratitude.
“Hello, Friends. 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,” Thomas wrote.
Before taking a break to grieve, Thomas expressed her deep appreciation for the overwhelming “beautiful messages of love and support” she had received. She thanked the many supporters who had followed their journey over the years and reflected on how much her late husband valued the connection with his audience and their community.
“I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you’ve been sharing,” she added. Thomas concluded her message by wishing health and happiness to all and encouraged everyone to cherish their loved ones as she had cherished Phil.
“I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip. Love, Marlo,” she concluded.
Thomas ended her post by sharing a fond memory of the two of them enjoying a scooter ride during a vacation, noting that it was one of her favorite moments together.
The announcement of Phil Donahue’s passing was made on August 18, stating that he died at the age of 88 after a long illness. The family shared that he passed away surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, and his beloved golden retriever.
The news was also shared on “Today,” where Donahue had frequently appeared during the ’80s. Hosts Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones announced the sad news during a segment on August 19. Donahue leaves behind a legacy as a pioneering TV talk show host, having started his career in radio in 1959 before moving to television.
Phil Donahue was a trailblazer in daytime talk shows, being one of the first to incorporate audience participation. “The Phil Donahue Show” became one of the most influential TV programs of its time. In 2002, Donahue briefly returned to television with an MSNBC show, though it was short-lived. In May 2024, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, recognizing his significant contributions.
In honor of his lasting impact, the family requested donations to the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital instead of flowers.
Reflecting on Donahue’s legacy, Sheinelle Jones remarked, “You know, we sometimes overuse the word trailblazer, but he certainly was, indeed.”
As the world mourns the loss of Phil Donahue, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
