Marlo Thomas, 87, continues to mourn the passing of her husband Phil Donahue, who died in August at the age of 88 after a long illness. This week, Thomas took a brief respite from her role as the national outreach director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a position she has held for over two decades. Her absence from the annual Thanks & Giving campaign’s kickoff on November 25 marked the first time in 21 years that she was unable to appear for the event.
Marlo Thomas takes a break from her annual role
Her brother, Tony Thomas, stepped in to represent the family during the segment on The Today Show. Host Savannah Guthrie explained that Marlo was taking time off to process her grief, acknowledging the loss of her “beloved husband.” Hoda Kotb also expressed condolences, and Tony offered an update on how his sister was coping. He described Marlo as “doing as best as expected,” emphasizing the deep bond she shared with Donahue, whom she was married to for 44 years. “It was a true love affair,” Tony said, referring to their enduring and passionate relationship that began after they met in 1977 on The Phil Donahue Show.
Throughout their marriage, the couple shared a strong connection, which Tony reflected on, mentioning how their love was admired by many. Marlo Thomas and Phil’s relationship was well-known for its chemistry and closeness, which is why Tony believes it will take Marlo time to heal. However, he assured fans that Marlo would return next year to continue supporting the mission of St. Jude, a cause close to her heart due to her late father, Danny Thomas, who founded the hospital in 1962.
As the campaign continues, the Today Show highlighted the stories of St. Jude patients and their families, celebrating the hospital’s life-saving work. Despite her grief, Marlo Thomas’s dedication to the hospital’s mission remains strong, and her family continues to honor her father’s legacy.
