Marlo Thomas Makes First Appearance Since Husband’s Death

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Marlo Thomas was seen for the first time publicly since the death of her husband, Phil Donahue, at Family Equality‘s annual Night at the Pier gala on May 12. The 87-year-old actress, producer, and author attended the event in good spirits, wearing a pale pink gown and a heart-shaped pendant.

This marked her first public appearance since Donahue’s passing on August 18, 2024, after a long illness. The couple was married for 44 years, having tied the knot in 1980. Thomas and Donahue first met when she appeared as a guest on his talk show, starting a love story characterized by shared moments and laughter.

Thomas paid tribute to her late husband at the event, joining fellow actors Demi Moore and Debbie Harry to present the Luigi Caiola Luminary Award to entertainment leaders Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson for their advocacy for LGBTQ+ families. During her speech, Moore stated, “The power to create a family doesn’t come from gender or tradition, it comes from love.”

Among the notable attendees were 1,200 guests, including actors Orfeh, Wilson Cruz, and Celia Keenan-Bolger. Thomas still wore her gold wedding rings from Donahue, symbolizing her enduring bond to him.

Amid grief, Thomas has been absent from the public eye, taking time to focus on her personal well-being and honor Donahue’s legacy. In a heartfelt Instagram post following his death, she expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, “I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself.”

The event raised $1.5 million to support Family Equality’s work for legal protections and support for LGBTQ+ families. “This event is more than a moment. It’s a movement,” said Family Equality CEO Darra Gordon.