Marlo Thomas Confesses Her Love for Phil Donahue

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue actually wrote the marital handbook.

The long-married couple’s book, What Makes a Marriage Last: Insider Stories, contains personal facts about their marriage. Forty Well-Known Couples Share Their Secrets with Us.

The most fascinating revelation made by Marlo is that, even though she and Phil have been married for over 40 years, she never really wanted to get married.

The famous person expressed in the book her previously negative opinion of the institution, saying that marriage is like a vacuum cleaner that sucks away all of your ambition and vitality when you stick it to your ear.

Thomas frequently shares her opinions, likening marriage to having to placate a prisoner. That is, until she met Donahue.

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas met following the dissolution of their first marriage, and they have remained lifelong friends ever since.

The Phil Donahue Show, which was eventually renamed as simply “Donahue,” was the vehicle through which Phil Donahue first gained popular recognition. For the first time, audience members participated in the program, which ran for 29 years. One of the visitors on his show who radically changed his life’s trajectory was Marlo Thomas.

The book claims that the two met in 1977 in Chicago, when Phil was bringing four children with him. His fifth child, a daughter, lived somewhere else with her mother and ex-wife.

Marlo and Phil dated for three years before being married in 1980 in front of a small wedding party of thirty-five guests.

Not surprise, Marlo’s friends and family were taken aback by the actress’s sudden change of heart. A hilarious story of Marlo’s bridal shower, where visitors hung notes from the soon-to-be bride that disclosed her past views on marriage, is featured in the couple’s book.

The book claims that Marlo’s mother was the most shocked of all, asking Donahue, “How did you get her to do this?” throughout the nuptials of the pair.

Reportedly, among other emotions, even total strangers voiced shock at the well-known social activist’s decision to get married. While Phil was in the lavatory, a passenger on the airplane the couple took to Greece for their honeymoon expressed displeasure to Marlo, presumably disappointed that she had given up her old independent streak.

In the book, Thomas is honest enough to acknowledge that something was unclear when they spoke. After all her life condemning marriage, was she suddenly a hypocrite for getting married? Had she let those down who held her in high regard as the embodiment of self-reliance?

Even though Donahue and Thomas discuss the usual ups and downs of their long marriage in the book, they manage to make their marriage work to this day. They describe these problems as teaching moments that deepened their relationship.

The couple had been apart from the beginning of their marriage, with Phil traveling to Chicago to tape his show and Marlo traveling to pursue her acting career.

Thomas had a greater understanding of how different individuals define marriage when his aunt said that the couple’s union was void because they weren’t living together exclusively. In spite of their separation, Thomas and Donahue were able to keep their marriage together. Significantly, Marlo’s marriage resulted in her having children.

In a 2012 interview with AARP, Thomas reflected on her experience helping Phil raise his kids, stating she went into it knowing that they already had a traditional mother and that would not be her role.

Rather, Marlo claims that she began to treat Phil’s children more like friends in an effort to mimic the parenting style of her own mother. She continues by saying that she feels more connected to them today than she did at the start of their marriage.

Donahue points out that Thomas really did strive to understand the lads in the book and spent as much time as she could getting to know his sons.

Phil and Marlo believe that their long marriage is a result of her strong bond with his kids and their mutual faith in each other. “You build trust when you realize that this person always has your back,” says Marlo in clarification.

Despite being married for more than 40 years, they still have more memories to make.

Phil goes on to argue that a marriage has to be desired by both parties in order for it to last. Marlo says she would never want to be anything other than married to her lover, echoing his sentiments. She claims that Donahue has assisted her “in every manner possible.”

When two people truly commit to one another, marriage is an incredibly lovely union that is made much more beautiful.

These two have a lot to teach and inspire us all. As satisfying as their relationship is, we should all strive to be in one!

My Husband Insisted We Live Separately for a Month – Then My Neighbor Called Me Saying, ‘Rush Home, There’s a Woman in Your Room!’

When Lisa’s husband suggests a month-long separation to “reignite their relationship,” she reluctantly agrees until a neighbor’s frantic call reveals a shocking betrayal. Rushing home, Lisa discovers that a woman has made herself very much at home in their place. This betrayal leaves Lisa determined to reclaim her life.

When Derek suggested we live apart for a month to “reignite our relationship,” I thought it was one of those modern trends couples try when they’re struggling but don’t want to admit it.

He spun it like a grand idea, claiming it would help us reconnect and appreciate each other more.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

“You’ll see,” he said, grinning over his coffee one morning. “It’ll be like dating all over again. You’ll miss me. I’ll miss you. And when the month’s over, it’ll be like a fresh start.”

I didn’t love the idea. What wife would? But Derek was insistent. He seemed so sure this was for the best, so I packed a bag, moved into a short-term rental across town, and told myself it would be fine.

The first week was awkward and lonely.

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

Derek barely called or texted but chalked it up to the fact that he was “enjoying the space” and focused on staying busy.

I even started looking forward to what he’d called “our big reunion, Lisa.”

One day, I invited my sister, Penelope, over.

“Are you sure about this, Lisa?” she asked as she poured herself a glass of wine. “I mean, it’s a bit sketchy.”

A glass of wine on a coffee table | Source: Midjourney

“I know,” I agreed, putting together a charcuterie board. “But whenever I showed any resistance, Derek would lose his mind. So, I figured that it was something he needed to do.”

“Yeah, I get that,” she said. “But something isn’t right about this, sis. I’d watch Derek carefully, if I were you.”

I have to admit, she was right. And I felt the same way. What good reason would Derek have to actually want us to be separated?

A charcuterie board | Source: Midjourney

Then, one quiet Saturday evening, my phone rang.

“Lisa,” Mary’s voice crackled through the line, low and urgent. “You need to come home. Right now. I saw a woman in your house. I can’t see much, but I saw a silhouette through the window.”

I put the knife I was using for chopping vegetables down and shook my head clear.

Mary was my neighbor and wasn’t the type to overreact.

Chopped mushroom on a board | Source: Midjourney

“What? Really!?”

The air felt like it had been knocked out of my lungs.

A woman? In our house?

My mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario:

Derek had moved someone else in. A mistress.

Then again, it could’ve been something else. A break-in, maybe, or Sheila, Derek’s mother.

A silhouette of a couple | Source: Midjourney

But I dismissed those possibilities almost instantly. Derek had been so distant lately, barely calling or texting. My gut told me that it had to be infidelity.

Infidelity.

“Are you sure?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Positive,” Mary said firmly. “Hurry, Lisa. Something is happening!”

I didn’t stop to think. I grabbed my keys and bolted out the door.

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

When I reached the house, I didn’t bother knocking. My hands were trembling as I shoved the door open, adrenaline pumping through me. It was as if my instincts took over. I ran up the stairs and straight into my bedroom.

There she was.

Not a mistress, but Derek’s mother.

Sheila.

Sheila was standing in the middle of my bedroom, surrounded by piles of my clothes. My closet doors were flung wide open, and she was holding one of my lace bras with a look of disgust.

An older woman standing in front of a closet | Source: Midjourney

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled, startling her.

Sheila glanced up, unbothered by my outrage.

“Oh, Lisa. You’re back early,” she said nonchalantly.

She waved the bra in the air like a piece of trash.

“I’m cleaning up this house. This isn’t suitable for a married woman.”

My jaw dropped.

A close up of an older woman | Source: Midjourney

“Excuse me?”

She gestured toward several trash bags on the floor. They were stuffed with my clothes, lingerie, dresses, and even casual outfits.

“Lisa, these don’t reflect the values of a proper wife. Derek asked me to help get things in order while you were gone.”

I felt a wave of rage boil over.

Trash bags in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney

“Get my things in order? By throwing away my clothes? Who gave you the right to do this?”

Sheila’s lips pursed as she straightened her shoulders.

“Honestly, Lisa, someone had to step in. This house is a mess, and your wardrobe… well, it sends the wrong message. Derek deserves better!”

Her words felt like a slap in the face.

An older woman standing in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney

Sheila had always been critical. She always had snide remarks about my cooking and little digs about how I kept the house, but this?

This was a new level of audacity.

“Where is Derek?” I demanded, my voice shaking with fury.

“He’s out,” Sheila replied nonchalantly. “Running errands, I think. He knows I’m here. We both agree this is what’s best.”

An angry woman | Source: Midjourney

What’s best?

Her words echoed in my head as I stood there, stunned. Derek hadn’t just let this happen. He’d invited her here.

I was still standing in the bedroom fuming when Derek finally came home an hour later, pounding up the stairs. Sheila had moved to the living room, probably sensing her presence would only add fuel to the fire.

“Lisa?” Derek said, stepping into the room.

His tone was confused, almost annoyed. “Why are you here?”

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

“Why am I here?” I snapped. “Because Mary called and told me there was a woman in our room going through my things. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was your mother!”

Derek sighed like I was the one making this into a big deal.

“Lisa, calm the heck down. Mom is just here to help out.”

“Helping out?” I repeated, incredulous.

A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney

“Yes,” he said, his voice maddeningly patient. “You’ve been struggling with… well, everything lately. Haven’t you? You only sweep the living room and the kitchen. The rest of the house is a mess. There are crumbs in the bed. And the fridge handle is always sticky.”

“That’s because you eat in bed, Derek! You choose to eat in bed like a madman, instead of just eating in the living room or dining room. As for the fridge, it’s sticky because of your peanut butter and jelly hands.”

Crumbs on a bed | Source: Midjourney

“Don’t blame me for everything, Lisa!” he barked. “I thought Mom could step in while we figure things out.”

“While we figure things out?” I repeated, my voice rising. “Is that what you think this break is about? You said this separation was to reignite our relationship, Derek. Not to invite your mother in to fix me like I’m some kind of broken appliance.”

Derek rubbed the back of his neck.

“Lisa, don’t twist this. You’ve been stressed lately, and Mom offered to help. That’s all. I didn’t think you’d react like this.”

A man holding his neck | Source: Midjourney

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Of course, I’m reacting like this! You didn’t even tell me. You moved your mother into our home. Into my bedroom! And let her throw away my clothes. How did you think I’d react?”

He groaned, clearly frustrated.

“Look, I didn’t plan for this to happen. It’s just… you’ve been so overwhelmed lately, and Mom knows what it takes to keep a proper home. She was trying to help you… help us.”

A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You think this is helping us? You think letting your mother invade my space, disrespect my boundaries, and insult my choices is helpful? Derek, this isn’t a partnership. It’s control. And the fact that you can’t see that is even worse.”

Derek looked stunned like he hadn’t expected me to be so angry. But I didn’t care. I was done.

I grabbed a suitcase and packed whatever clothes Sheila hadn’t deemed inappropriate. Without a second glance, I walked out the door.

A suitcase in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney

That was three days ago. I’ve already contacted a lawyer.

Some people might think I’m overreacting, but to me, this wasn’t just about the invasion of privacy or the humiliation of having my mother-in-law throw away my belongings.

It was about Derek showing, loud and clear, that he didn’t see me as an equal partner in our marriage.

A lawyer sitting at his desk | Source: Midjourney

He didn’t want a wife.

He wanted someone to cook, clean, and keep the house like in the 1950s.

Well, that’s not me.

When Derek asked for a “break,” I didn’t know what he was expecting. But I’ll tell you what he’s getting.

A divorce.

A 1950s stereotypical housewife | Source: Midjourney

Now, I’ve moved into Penelope’s apartment while the divorce is sorted out. I can’t wait to have half of everything Derek owns.

He needs to understand what it feels like to have everything one day and then have the rug pulled out from under your feet when you least expect it.

“What was the worst part of it all for you, sis?” Penelope asked.

A cozy apartment | Source: Midjourney

“That my husband saw me as a failure,” I replied. “Our marriage wasn’t perfect, sure. But we weren’t in such deep water, you know? And Sheila always hated me. Remember when we were getting ready for the wedding, and she came and criticized my hair and makeup?”

My sister sighed and continued making the homemade pizzas we were having for dinner.

“I always knew Derek was the biggest mistake of your life,” she admitted.

Homemade pizza on a counter | Source: Midjourney

“What?” I gasped, almost knocking over a bowl of olives.

“I’m sorry, Lisa,” she said quietly. “But after you met him, you lost interest in all your hobbies. Where’s my sister who would paint anything she wanted? All she needed was a canvas and her paints.”

I was quiet for a moment.

“I didn’t realize,” I said.