After years of doubt, Marlo Thomas stunned a lot of people by accepting marriage and, in particular, by becoming the stepmother of Phil Donahue’s five children. See how she developed close relationships with them during their 44-year marriage and get a glimpse of how they all appear now.

A profound love that lasted for more than 40 years characterized Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue’s extraordinary journey. On August 18, 2024, Phil, the renowned television host, passed away at the age of 88, ending their long marriage.

His passing signaled the end of an era, leaving a lasting legacy in broadcasting and a deep impression on everyone he interacted with. As Marlo gets through this trying period, she thinks back on the life they had together, which includes their marriage and the blended family that grew to be such an important aspect of her existence.

The well-known actress and activist Marlo used to think marriage wasn’t for her. Remarkably, she likened the establishment to a type of incarceration, quiping that it was similar to “living with a jailer you have to please.”

The “Reunion” actress thought back on her previous feelings on marriage in her 2020 book, “What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life,” which she co-wrote with her husband, Phil.

Marlo said, “I didn’t think marriage was a big enough place for me.” She even made a joke about how marriage could drain a person’s ambition and energy like a vacuum cleaner. Even though she had strong emotions, meeting Phil caused everything to alter.

When he wed Marlo on May 21, 1980, Phil Donahue, founder and host of “The Phil Donahue Show,” had five children. Marlo, who was 42 years old, had never given birth to her own children, so when she wed Phil, she became his stepmother.

This was a significant shift for her since it contradicted her beliefs about marriage and placed her in a position she never would have imagined.

Marlo made the decision early on that she would not become a mother to Phil’s kids. In a May 2011 interview, she said, “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 — they already had a mom — but, instead, to be their friend.”

Marlo wanted to be more like how her mother had been to her and her siblings — a friend they could talk to and trust.

“When I was growing up, my mother was always a friend to my siblings and me (in addition to being all the other things a mom is), and I was always grateful for that because I knew she was someone I could talk to and joke with, and argue with and that nothing would ever harm that friendship,” said Marlo.

While discussing her relationship with her stepchildren, Marlo expressed, “So I used that model with Phil’s kids, and I’m proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago — even stronger.”

What Are the Five Children of Phil Donahue Like?

It was common to refer to Phil as the “King of Daytime Talk.” Soon after they graduated from college in 1958, he wed Margaret Cooney, his college sweetheart. Before their marriage dissolved in 1975, they had five children together. Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James, Phil’s children, all have distinct lives and tales to tell today.

Marlo paid a touching Father’s Day homage to Phil on social media in June 2021. The post included a photo of Phil with his sons and one of his grandsons.

Social media users were quick to notice the post and showered the comments section with praise for the Donahue men.

One user commented, “Great pic of some handsome Irishman!🍀.” “Wow!” was the comment from another user. They look amazing,” said one, reiterating the praise for the Donahue sons, while another said, “Handsome men💙.”

A deeper look at Phil’s five children’s current appearance is provided here.

Michael Donahue

The eldest son of Phil Donahue, Michael, has combined a fulfilling personal life with a prosperous profession in television. His engagement to Martha Reed von Gal, a youth counselor at Communities for People in Medford, Massachusetts, was publicized in January 1991 by The New York Times.

She goes by Reed and graduated from St. Michael’s College and Greenwich Academy. Michael, who was 31 at the time, was employed by WTNH-TV in New Haven as a marketing consultant. He was a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder as well as New Trier East High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

The couple married in April 1991 and welcomed two children: a son, Connor, and a daughter, Kenzie. Michael’s career continued to progress, beginning as an account executive for Katz American TV in 1986.

He worked at several television stations from 1990 to 1997 before joining Fox Station Sales as a sales manager. Later, he served as a sales manager at Petry Television before rejoining Katz in 2004 as a sales manager for Continental in Boston.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael enjoys a close-knit relationship with his stepmother, Marlo, and this is evident from their candid family moments.

Marlo has a unique bond with Michael’s children as well. The “That Girl” actress’s public posts clearly show how much she loves her step-grandchildren.

Marlo posted a heartfelt picture of her grandson Connor on Instagram in August 2019. She affectionately called him her “soulmate.”

One of the posts was an unguarded picture of Marlo and Connor having a happy moment. Another photo featured Reed, Connor’s mother-in-law, grinning alongside Phil, her father-in-law.

Kenzie and Marlo have a similarly deep bond. Marlo commemorated Kenzie’s eighteenth birthday in a March 2015 Facebook post, noting her growth since Marlo held her for the first time as a newborn.

“My [biological] grandchild is not Kenzie. However, I adore her just as much as I love all of my biological nieces and nephews,” Marlo stated, emphasizing her close relationship with Connor and Kenzie.

In the accompanying shot, Kenzie and Connor were seen grinning next to Marlo as she held a dish of birthday cupcakes.

Kevin Donahue

Being the second child of Phil, he has experienced numerous special moments with both his father and stepmother, Marlo, throughout the years. Kevin is an enthusiastic runner who has finished multiple marathons, including the prestigious New York City Marathon.

Marlo enthusiastically publicized Kevin’s marathon accomplishments on Facebook in November 2013, mentioning that he finished the ING New York City Marathon in 4:12 that year. Kevin has completed this marathon in his 30s, 40s, and 50s, which is quite impressive considering that his best time was 3:32 in Stockholm in 1996.

Outside of his sporting endeavors, Kevin has taken pleasure in several trips with Phil and Marlo. One such instance was when the three of them spent a day at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, on their boat in 2011.

That day, Marlo posted a humorous Facebook note joking that “all the Donahues have white hair!” The common experiences that Marlo regularly posts about on her social media platforms demonstrate the closeness of the family.

August 2013, a special journey to the Statue of Liberty pedestal with Marlo, Phil, and Kevin, was another unforgettable family vacation. With the skyline of New York City in the backdrop, the three of them were posing triumphantly when Marlo candidly captured the scene.

Marlo wrote about their success in climbing the 350 steps to the pedestal and their subsequent breath-holding break in her post.

Daniel Donahue

The third son of Phil has a close relationship with his family and often attends major events with his father, brothers, and stepmother Marlo. Marlo shared a cozy Thanksgiving celebration at their house with the Donahue men—Phil, Kevin, and Daniel—in a November 2012 Facebook post.

Thanksgiving dinner in our home. Phil, myself, Kevin and Dan, two of his sons, and a lovely brown turkey! I hope you also had a wonderful Thanksgiving.” She wrote, encapsulating the festive spirit.

In further family images that Marlo sent, Daniel can be seen, further demonstrating the close-knit dynamics of the Donahue family. Marlo shared a photo of the gray-haired Donahue men on Instagram in 2021, with the exception of her black-haired grandson Connor, who stood out from the rest.

Mary Rose Donahue

Unlike her brothers, she had a distinct childhood experience and is Phil’s sole daughter. Following their divorce, Phil and his first wife Margaret had custody of their four sons, with Margaret staying with her mother.

Mary Rose was still close to her father and stepmother in spite of this. Through her social media posts, Marlo has frequently shown her love for Mary Rose.

Marlo posted a happy photo of Mary Rose’s developing love for the culinary arts on Facebook in August 2011. The article detailed a weekend trip to Nantucket’s well-known Toppers restaurant, where Mary Rose learned some insightful advice from Tom Pearson, the chef.

Mary Rose was grinning and standing next to Chef Tom in the above photo, which perfectly captured her excitement for her next culinary endeavors.

James ‘Jim’ Donahue

Phil’s youngest child was Jim, as he was affectionately called. Sadly, an aortic aneurysm claimed his life on August 11, 2014, at the age of 51. He was a practicing attorney who had established his life and career in Honolulu. He spent a significant portion of his career as an investigative journalist and researcher for a Ralph Nader group company, where he worked for more than 20 years.

While their father, Phil, was starting his broadcast career and creating his revolutionary talk show, Jim and his siblings grew up in Dayton, Ohio.

Jim was well-liked by the Donahue family because of his strong morals and independent personality, even in spite of the family’s public persona.

After Jim’s death, Marlo wrote a poignant note to friends, calling him “a great light in our family, a funny character, and an independent spirit.”

Jim was cremated after his passing, and as a kind and heartfelt farewell, his family dispersed his ashes in Honolulu’s calm, warm seas – a location he loved dearly and will always rest in peace.

The transformation of Marlo Thomas from a doubtful spouse to a loving wife and stepmother serves as an example of how family and love can change a person. Marlo is comforted by the close relationships she had with Phil Donahue’s children as she grieves the death of her loving spouse.

These enduring relationships, which have provided comfort and togetherness during this trying time, are evidence of the strength of their blended family.