Explore the life of Marge Cooney, ex-wife of famed talk show host Phil Donahue. Learn about her early years, marriage, family, and her lasting legacy
Marge Cooney was the ex-wife of television host and film producer “Phillip John Donahue.” She was not a mainstream celebrity but came into the limelight after marrying a famous television personality. Phillip was known for being the host of the famous “The Phil Donahue Show.” The show started in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio, and gained such popularity that it eventually moved to a national platform. It continued airing for 29 years and concluded its run in “New York City” in 1996.
Apart from Donahue’s career achievements, people are very curious about his personal life, especially about his first wife, Marge. So, today let’s get to know Marge Cooney and Phil Donahue marital life in complete detail.
Marge Cooney was born in 1936 in West Orange, New Jersey, United States, to “Mr. and Mrs. James B. Cooney” as “Margaret Mary Cooney.” She was the first wife of renowned television host “Phil Donahue” and, more than that, an American homemaker and community volunteer.
In early childhood, she moved with her family to Chatham, New Jersey, and Boca Raton, Florida, where she lived for three decades. Marge had an emotional connection with “Jersey Shore,” especially “Sea Girt, New Jersey.” There she spent her summers for 57 years.
Marge’s early education began at “St. Mary’s High School.” She then attended the “College of Mount St. Joseph” in Cincinnati, Ohio, for her further studies. Later, she enrolled at “Marquette University” located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for higher education and a graduate-level degree.
Marge Cooney and Phil Donahue met while they were both in college. Their connection eventually blossomed into a lovely relationship, and the two tied the knot on February 1, 1958. Their wedding took place at “San Felipe de Neri Church.”
Over the years, they built a beautiful family together, welcoming five children.
However, unfortunately, despite sharing nearly two decades of marriage, Marge and Phil Donahue’s relationship came to an end in 1975 after 17 years of togetherness. The reason for the divorce remained disclosed and unclear.
After the divorce, Marge chose to step away from the public spotlight and moved to “Albuquerque, New Mexico”. There, her focus became her children’s upbringing and creating a stable, nurturing environment for them.
Rather than remarrying or seeking fame, Marge Cooney found fulfillment in a quiet life devoted to her loved ones and her faith. She remained deeply rooted in her spiritual community, actively participating in “St. Mark’s Church” in “Sea Girt, New Jersey,” and volunteering at “St. Joan of Arc Church” in “Boca Raton, Florida.”
Nevertheless, her involvement in local clubs, like the “Spring Lake Golf Club,” and her church work show a woman committed to living meaningfully through service and community, all while staying gracefully private.
A few years after his divorce from Marge Cooney in 1975, Phil Donahue fell in love with “Marlo Thomas,” an actress and author. The two started dating in 1977 after Marlo invited him to appear as a guest on Phil’s talk show, “The Phil Donahue Show.” Soon, their affection for each other and love grew quickly, and on May 21, 1980, they married in a small ceremony.
Together, they wrote a book entitled “What Makes a Marriage Last,” in which they explore long-lasting relationships through interviews with other couples. While the couple didn’t have any children together, Marlo was a stepmother to Phil’s five children from his first marriage. Surprisingly, she behaves like a friend to her stepchildren rather than becoming a traditional stepmother.
Phil Donahue was admired not only for his outstanding work in television but also for his role as a devoted father. He welcomed his children during the early years of his rising career, and despite the challenges of fame and professional demands, he remained committed to his family life. Even after his divorce from Marge Cooney, Donahue remained an active presence in his children’s lives, maintaining close bonds with each of them. No doubt, his family values have been central to his identity.
For those wondering, “Is Marge Cooney still alive?” The answer is no. She passed away peacefully at “Brandywine at Wall,” a senior care residence in New Jersey, on February 2, 2018. She died at the age of 82, while her ex-husband, Phil Donahue, died on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88.
In short, “Marge Cooney’s” life reflects a journey of quiet strength, dedication, devotion, and values. Though she maintained a private lifestyle, Marge was once in the public eye due to her marriage to renowned television host “Phil Donahue.” Despite their separation, she remained an important part of her family’s life. Her dedication to family was paralleled by her commitment to community service. Her passing marked the end of a chapter in the Donahue family history, but her memory lives on through her children and those who knew her. May her soul rest in heaven. We wish the couple a peaceful life in the hereafter.
