Marlo Thomas breaks silence after husband Phil Donahue’s death

Marlo Thomas paid tribute to her late husband, Phil Donahueafter his death at the age of 88.

“Hello, friends. I’m sure by now you’ve heard the sad news that I lost my loved one last night,” Thomas, 86, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 19, alongside a throwback photo of her and Donahue. “So I know you understand that I will be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who have cared for Phil and held him close to their hearts.”

Thomas added that she didn’t want to take time away from thanking everyone for the “wonderful messages of love and support” she has received so far. She expressed her appreciation to her fans for letting her and Donahue, who were married for 44 years, into their lives over the years.

“As a man who loved his audience throughout his career, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be deeply touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you shared,” she continued. “Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold those closest to you close, just as I am blessed to do with my beloved Phillip. Love, Marlo.”

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Thomas also shared one of her “favorite photos” of herself and Donahue from a European vacation, which showed the couple smiling at the camera as they posed on a scooter.

Earlier that day, news broke that the host of the Phil Donahue show had “passed away peacefully after a long illness,” according to a statement shared by his family. Thomas was by his side with “his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.”

Thomas and Donahue’s friend, Kelly Ripapaid tribute to the talk show host on social media. “Good friends are hard to find and even harder to lose,” Ripa, 53, wrote via Instagram on Monday, alongside a photo of her, Thomas, Donahue and Mark Consuelos. “To a life well lived.”

Donahue and Thomas married in 1980. The couple met and fell in love three years earlier when the actress appeared as a guest on Donahue’s eponymous talk show.

“It was kind of love at first sight,” Thomas said of her and Donahue’s connection during a 2021 appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “Something chemically happened.”

After more than forty years of marriage, Thomas and Donahue launched their podcast “Double Date with Marlo Thomas & Phil Donahue” to share their tips and tricks for maintaining a happy and healthy relationship.