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!
Dolly Parton sings The Beatles’ song “Let It Be” with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — listen to it here!
After over 50 years in music, Dolly Parton is now a real rock star. The cherished country legend is finally putting out her long-awaited rock album called “Rockstar,” and she’s teaming up with some of the biggest names in music history to do it.
Dolly just released the latest single from her album, a cover of The Beatles’ timeless song “Let it Be.” Many have covered this beloved tune before, but this one is extra special because it features both living Beatles, Sirs Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr!
Few artists can bring together arguably the greatest band ever, but Dolly did it. Although Paul and Ringo have worked together occasionally, having them both on board is still a major achievement.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Sir Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney attend the Disney Original Documentary’s “If These Walls Could Sing” London Premiere at Abbey Road Studios on December 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Disney+)
And if having two Beatles wasn’t enough, the song also includes Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood on drums, making it a truly star-studded recording.
The spiritual, gospel-inspired song is a great match for the 77-year-old country icon, and Dolly gives it her all in her performance — have a listen:
The song has received praise from both critics and fans of Dolly Parton and The Beatles.
One YouTube comment reads, “I got goosebumps from the first few words… by halfway through I was in tears! Thank you, Dolly, Paul, Ringo, and everyone involved in this incredible recording!”
Another comment says, “Great version of an iconic song by the legends themselves! A lively and powerful rendition. Thanks to all!!”
And another emotional comment reads, “No words… just tears… amazing… so much gratitude to these incredible legends for bringing this inspiring piece to a new generation. ‘Let it Be’ is exactly what this world needs right now.”
Blueee77 / Shutterstock.com
“Let it Be,” first released in 1970, remains one of the Beatles’ most cherished and inspiring songs. Although credited to Lennon-McCartney, Paul McCartney wrote it after dreaming about his mother, Mary Patricia McCartney, who passed away when he was 14.
Recorded during the band’s famous yet turbulent “Get Back” sessions, it served as the Beatles’ final single before their breakup in 1970. The song also lent its name to their last album, adding a bittersweet connection to the band’s farewell.
Dolly Parton’s album, Rockstar, is set to be released on November 17. She first hinted at making a rock album last year when she turned down her nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dolly said she hadn’t “earned the right” to be inducted because she hadn’t made a rock & roll album yet.
“I hope the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and consider me again if I ever deserve it,” she wrote. “This has inspired me to finally make a rock ‘n’ roll album, which I’ve always wanted to do!” She also mentioned that her husband is a “total rock ‘n’ roll fan.”
Rockstar will have some new songs written by Dolly, but mostly it features covers of classic rock songs, often with the original artists joining in.
The track list includes:
- “Every Breath You Take” featuring Sting
- “Baby, I Love Your Way” with Peter Frampton
- “Heart of Glass” with Debbie Harry
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with Elton John
- “Free Bird” with Lynyrd Skynyrd
Besides “Let It Be,” Dolly has released two other singles from the album: an original song called “World on Fire” and a cover of Queen’s “We Are the Champions”/“We Will Rock You,” which also promotes the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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