Marge Cooney: The Untold Story of Phil Donahue’s First Wife and Her Quiet Legacy

As the world recalls Phil Donahue for revolutionizing American talk shows, it seems few are familiar with the story of the woman who was his partner at the start—Marge Cooney. Her life was not one filled with bright lights and banner headlines, but one of personal strength, family love, and dedication to helping others. Even though she gained celebrity status in the public eye due in large part to her marriage to Donahue, Marge Cooney had a useful and meaningful life outside of it.

Let’s explore the life and legacy of Marge Cooney—from her childhood in New Jersey to marriage with Phil Donahue and her post-work life spent volunteering in the community and being committed to her faith. This article deconstructs her personal life and provides a glimpse into who she was beyond the title of “celebrity spouse.” Her life is a reminder that society’s most important contributions are sometimes delivered in the most unassuming packages.

Quick Bio

Who Was Marge Cooney?

Marge Cooney, who was born Margaret Mary Cooney in 1936, lived a life marked by elegance, restraint, and adherence to her own principles. Although she became famous as the wife of television legend Phil Donahue, Marge maintained a resolutely private personality. She avoided the limelight, instead focusing on raising her children and working in her community. Her refusal to step into the public eye reveals a great deal about the woman she was.

She lived in a number of locations over the course of her life, including West Orange and Chatham in New Jersey and Boca Raton, Florida. Her community involvement and religion were strong defining factors in her personality. No matter how much the world may be aware of her name for an ex-husband, those people who knew Marge speak of her kindness, sweetness, and unwavering support of those around her.

Early Life

Marge spent her early years in New Jersey, where she was raised in a Catholic family. She had her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Cooney, to provide her with a stable and values-based upbringing. She attended St. Mary’s High School, where she would likely develop the discipline and sense of community that would define her later years. Marge’s adolescence in West Orange and Chatham contributed significantly towards shaping her strong character and lifelong commitment to others.

After high school, Marge attended the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then transferred to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She met Phil Donahue in college. The two were involved in a relationship that began the journey that would become an integral aspect of both their lives. In spite of little being published regarding her academic interest, her attendance at prestigious institutions is a testament to her passion and dedication towards studies.

Career Beginning

Unlike her ex-husband, Marge Cooney had no career in public entertainment or the media. Instead, her career was comprised of wife life, mothering, and community volunteer work. After the divorce, Marge chose to focus all her energies on her family, in particular raising her youngest child. She relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she found solace and purpose in daily life, removed from front-page notices and TV camera lights.

Marge’s own endeavors may not have earned her an award or television audience, but within the church and community it was deeply impactful. She spent time volunteering at the St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton on a regular basis and was involved with the St. Mark’s Church in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Her selfless perspective of life and commitment to being good left a quiet but lasting influence on everyone she encountered.

Who Was Marge Cooney’s Former Husband?

Marge was married to Phil Donahue, an early trailblazer of American television. Donahue is best known for The Phil Donahue Show, which ran nearly three decades and spawned a new breed of audience-participation talk shows. Donahue broached controversial topics and paved the way for modern-day daytime TV. The couple wed on February 1, 1958, at San Felipe de Neri Church in New Mexico.

Both Phil and Marge had five children together—Michael, Kevin, Daniel, James, and Mary Rose. They were married for 17 years until they were divorced in 1975. The causes of their divorce only they would know, but it is for sure that they shared many good years. Phil married actress Marlo Thomas in 1980, while Marge never remarried, giving herself fully to her family and religion-based volunteer work.

Marge Cooney’s Physical Appearance

Not much is known about Marge’s physical appearance, as much as is known about her extremely private nature. She was seldom seen in public and did not possess a media image. She was, nonetheless, characterized by those who knew her as graceful, elegant, and gentle. Folks recalled her most for her inner strength and quiet self-assurance, rather than for her appearance.

Despite not living life in the limelight, Marge herself was dignified and humble. She was subtle yet refined in her fashion sense—appropriate for a woman who valued substance over display. Her legacy is one of character, not image, and she is more admirable because of it in a world that prides itself so much on appearances.

Net Worth

Marge Cooney’s own net worth is not included in the public record, presumably due to the fact that she lived a low-key life and failed to engage in commercial pursuits. She did not monetize fame or endorsements as did so many other public figures. However, she was obviously able to live in comfort while married to Phil Donahue, who went on to earn an estimated net worth of more than $150 million.

After their divorce, it is believed that she was financially well-off from the settlement, so that she could live comfortably. However, there is no suggestion that she lived lavishly. Rather, she opted for a simple, purposeful life, using her resources and time to serve her church and community in a positive way.

Legacy

Marge Cooney passed away on February 2, 2018, at 82, at Brandywine Living at Wall, a New Jersey assisted living community. She didn’t only leave her grandchildren and children behind but also a service legacy, humility, and love. Her memorial service reflected the plainness and sophistication with which she lived life—surrounded by those whom she loved and led by faith.

Today, she is remembered by her children and the many lives she touched through her church work and daily acts of kindness. While she may not be a name in popular culture annals, Marge Cooney is a significant figure in the personal history of one of America’s most famous talk show hosts—and to community members who experienced her warmth and generosity firsthand.