Marlo Thomas pays tribute to ‘sweetheart’ husband Phil Donahue after his death at 88
Marlo Thomas is taking a step back from social media in the wake of husband Phil Donahue’s death.
“I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night,” the actress wrote via Instagram on Monday.
“So I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts,” the 86-year-old continued.
Before her hiatus, however, the Golden Globe winner wanted to thank her followers for their “beautiful messages of love and support” amid her loss.
“Thank you … for the wonderful and generous way that you’ve let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years,” Thomas gushed, calling her late partner “a man who spent his career loving his audiences.”
She concluded by wishing her fans “good health and happy days.”
The “That Girl” alum added, “I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip.”
Her lengthy social media upload included a throwback photo of herself and the Emmy winner riding a Vespa on vacation.
The couple got married in May 1980 after three years together.
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Thomas recently celebrated 44 years of marriage with an Instagram photo from the nuptials.
“Today is Phil’s and my 44th anniversary! I can’t believe it,” she gushed in May. “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,” she concluded. “Here we are May 21, 1980. Happy anniversary my darling 💘.”
When they wed, Thomas became the stepmom to Donahue’s five children from his previous marriage to Margaret Cooney — Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James.
News broke on Monday that Donahue passed away the previous evening at age 88.
The “Phil Donahue Show” host reportedly died “peacefully” and surrounded by his loved ones after battling a long illness.
