Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas' Sweetest Photos from Their Decades-Long Love Story

Mar. 15, 2025

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Photo:Marlo Thomas/Instagram

Marlo Thomas/Instagram

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas' love story is one for the ages.

01of 12

How It All Began

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty

“We just clicked … I just loved his confidence,” Thomas said in 2021 duringan interviewonThe Drew Barrymore Show.

02of 12Sealed with a KissPhil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesThomas gave Donahue a kiss on the head as they stepped out for the Iris Awards Banquet in 1978 in L.A.

02of 12

Sealed with a Kiss

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Thomas gave Donahue a kiss on the head as they stepped out for the Iris Awards Banquet in 1978 in L.A.

03of 12Back in the DayMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/InstagramA few months after first meeting in Chicago, Donahue visited Thomas at her home in Beverly Hill, she explained inan Instagram post.“Here we are in my backyard. Sparks continued to fly! They still do! How lucky are we?!,” she said.

03of 12

Back in the Day

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/Instagram

A few months after first meeting in Chicago, Donahue visited Thomas at her home in Beverly Hill, she explained inan Instagram post.

“Here we are in my backyard. Sparks continued to fly! They still do! How lucky are we?!,” she said.

04of 12Eyes for YouMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesThomas sweetly looked up at her soon-to-be husband in 1979 when the pair attended the Special Olympics at SUNY Brockport Campus in New York.

04of 12

Eyes for You

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Thomas sweetly looked up at her soon-to-be husband in 1979 when the pair attended the Special Olympics at SUNY Brockport Campus in New York.

05of 12Love BirdsMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Images Press/IMAGES/GettyHere, the two are seen together the year they tied the knot while out in New York City.

05of 12

Love Birds

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Images Press/IMAGES/Getty

Here, the two are seen together the year they tied the knot while out in New York City.

06of 12Wedding BellsMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/InstagramThomas paid tribute to the couple’s 44th anniversary with a sweet post toInstagram in May 2024.“I can’t believe it,” she wrote, alongside a photo from their wedding day. “It seems more like 20 years. It was a happy day in May and it’s happy still! We are blessed and so grateful we found each other. Here we are May 21, 1980. Happy anniversary my darling 💘”

06of 12

Wedding Bells

Thomas paid tribute to the couple’s 44th anniversary with a sweet post toInstagram in May 2024.

“I can’t believe it,” she wrote, alongside a photo from their wedding day. “It seems more like 20 years. It was a happy day in May and it’s happy still! We are blessed and so grateful we found each other. Here we are May 21, 1980. Happy anniversary my darling 💘”

07of 12Birthday GuestsPhil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Yvonne Hemsey/GettyIn 1984, the power couple was all dressed up to celebrate Thomas' dear friend Gloria Steinem’s 50th birthday in New York City.

07of 12

Birthday Guests

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Yvonne Hemsey/Getty

In 1984, the power couple was all dressed up to celebrate Thomas' dear friend Gloria Steinem’s 50th birthday in New York City.

08of 12Vacation BlissMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/InstagramThomas celebrated National Spouse Day earlier this year witha photo of the longtime couple on vacation in Italy.“We’ve been married 43 years and it’s so good to know that I picked the perfect spouse for me,” she wrote.

08of 12

Vacation Bliss

Thomas celebrated National Spouse Day earlier this year witha photo of the longtime couple on vacation in Italy.

“We’ve been married 43 years and it’s so good to know that I picked the perfect spouse for me,” she wrote.

09of 12

Favorite Plus One

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

10of 12Boat DaysMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/InstagramIn July, Thomas took a walk down memory lane andshared a photoof the longtime loves on their boat, the Mugsy, from 2009.“It’s hard to believe this was 15 years ago, it feels like yesterday,” she wrote. “We still love to watch the sunset whether on land or water!”

10of 12

Boat Days

In July, Thomas took a walk down memory lane andshared a photoof the longtime loves on their boat, the Mugsy, from 2009.

“It’s hard to believe this was 15 years ago, it feels like yesterday,” she wrote. “We still love to watch the sunset whether on land or water!”

11of 12Feeling the LoveMarlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Marlo Thomas/InstagramThe two were coordinated in black for a friend’s wedding. Thomas shared the phototo her Instagramin February: “Love those beach weddings,” she wrote in part.

11of 12

Feeling the Love

The two were coordinated in black for a friend’s wedding. Thomas shared the phototo her Instagramin February: “Love those beach weddings,” she wrote in part.

12of 12

Special Honor — For Two!

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue.Courtesy of Marlo Thomas

Courtesy of Marlo Thomas

“We don’t have a trophy room even though we could probably use one for Phil — the man won 20 Emmys,” Thomastold PEOPLE earlier this year. ”But we keep our awards in our own studies. The medals, however, are different. I had mine framed, and I can’t wait to frame Phil’s and hang it right next to it.”

source: people.com