Marlo Thomas Misses St. Jude Segment for First Time in 21 Years for Heartbreaking Reason

Marlo Thomas speaks at the dedication of The Marlo Thomas Center For Global Education & Collaboration at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on November 20, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee
Greg Campbell/Getty Images for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Marlo Thomas has served as the national outreach director at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for decades since her father, Danny Thomas, founded the research hospital in 1962. This is the first time in the past 21 years that she has not appeared on TODAY to kick off the annual Thanks & Giving series, which raises money for the hospital around the holidays. She is continuing to stay out of the spotlight and grieve her late husband Phil Donahue, who passed away in August of this year.

While Marlo did not appear on the show, her brother, Tony Thomas, appeared in her place and opened up about how his sister was doing after the loss of her beloved husband. He admitted that she is “doing as best to be expected” and added, “She loved her guy, that was a 44-year marriage that was a true love affair.” The couple met on Donahue’s talk show in 1977 and felt sparks instantly.

Tony Thomas and Marlo Thomas attend the 48th Annual Gracie Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on May 23, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

Tony continued, “Everybody that called me said, ‘I can’t believe their marriage was such a love affair and the chemistry.’ It was … they were very, very close, and I believe it’s going [to be] awhile before she can handle this.” He confirmed that she would be back next year and would continue her work with St. Jude.

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas attend the "Hillary" New York Premiere at Directors Guild of America Theater on March 04, 2020 in New York City

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

TODAY hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie sent their love to Marlo and said that she must be very proud of her brother to be there to talk about the work of St. Jude. Tony also spoke of his father’s legacy and how much has changed since he started the foundation about 60 years ago.

He shared, “I think he would be amazed but shocked. It was a long time ago when they opened those doors. There was a period where they were writing checks to pay the payroll for the doctors and scientists.” Donate to St. Jude here.

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1968 Retrospective

January 2018

This special expanded issue celebrates all things pop culture in 1968.

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