When you think of Marlo Thomas, you probably see that iconic flip haircut or hear the bubbly laugh from That Girl. But honestly, if you’ve seen Marlo Thomas now, you know she's navigating a chapter that feels a lot more heavy than a 60s sitcom.
She's 88. And she’s starting over in a way she never expected.
Most of the world knows that Marlo lost her husband of 44 years, the legendary talk show host Phil Donahue, in August 2024. For a long time, the two were basically inseparable—the ultimate "it" couple of intellectual Hollywood. Losing him wasn't just a personal blow; it was the end of a partnership that defined her public and private life for nearly half a century.
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After Phil passed, Marlo did something she almost never does: she went quiet.
She stepped away from her social media. She missed the 2024 St. Jude Thanks and Giving segment on the Today show, a tradition she hadn’t broken in two decades. Fans were worried. You've probably seen the headlines asking where she went or if she was retiring for good.
But 2026 has shown us a different story. Marlo Thomas isn't just "coping"—she is reinventing what it looks like to be an activist and a widow at the same time.
Moving Forward Without Phil
Losing a spouse after four decades is a kind of grief most of us can’t even wrap our heads around. Marlo has been incredibly candid about it, recently telling the Today show crew that she misses Phil "a lot." It’s a simple sentence, but coming from her, it carries so much weight.
For a while, she was in total seclusion.
She needed to take care of herself and the people who took care of Phil during his long illness. It wasn't until mid-2025 that she even dipped a toe back into the public pool, appearing at a gala in New York City looking elegant but clearly changed.
If you're looking for the "secret" to how she’s handling it, she points to what she calls the "three Ls": Love, Listening, and Lust. While the third one might feel like a memory now, she’s leaning hard into the first two. She’s leaning on friends like Sheinelle Jones and her family, focusing on the legacy she and Phil built together.
The Massive St. Jude Expansion
Most people think of Marlo and immediately think of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. That makes sense, since her father, Danny Thomas, founded it. But what Marlo Thomas is doing now at the hospital is actually quite revolutionary.
She isn't just a figurehead.
Recently, Marlo unveiled the Family Commons at St. Jude. This isn’t just some new wing with white walls and stethoscopes. It’s a 45,000-square-foot space designed entirely by the kids and parents.
- The Maker Space: High-tech 3D printers for kids to create toys.
- The Recording Studio: Where patients can actually lay down tracks and make music.
- The Beauty Salon: Because, as Marlo says, "hair is very important to kids."
She’s basically trying to give these children their childhood back while they fight for their lives. It’s a holistic approach that moves beyond just "medicine" and into "quality of life."
Why She’s Still Receiving Major Awards in 2026
Even at 88, the industry isn't done with her. In April 2026, Marlo Thomas is set to receive the AAF President’s Award from the American Advertising Federation.
She’s sharing the honor with Barry Manilow.
The award isn't just for being a famous actress. It’s for how she used advertising and public influence to raise over $1 billion for St. Jude through the Thanks and Giving campaign she started in 2004. It turns out, that "pioneering spirit" she had back in the 60s when she produced That Girl never actually went away. She just pivoted from being a TV star to being one of the most effective fundraisers in American history.
What’s Next for Marlo?
There’s a common misconception that Marlo Thomas has retired.
She hasn't.
While she’s not doing 22-episode seasons of a sitcom anymore, she’s still writing (she’s an eight-time New York Times bestselling author) and traveling the country as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude. She is also heavily involved in the Family Equality organization, advocating for LGBTQ+ families—a cause she’s supported for years.
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Honestly, her life now is a masterclass in "aging with purpose."
She could have easily stayed in her Manhattan apartment and let the world go by after Phil died. Instead, she’s using her grief as fuel. She’s showing up on the Today show plaza, hugging kids who are going through the hardest times of their lives, and reminding everyone that "it ain't over till it's over."
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with Marlo Thomas now or support the causes she’s currently championing, here is how you can actually get involved:
- Check out the Family Commons: If you’re following the medical world or philanthropy, look into the "holistic care" model St. Jude is using. It’s the new gold standard for pediatric hospitals.
- Support the 2026 Thanks and Giving Campaign: This remains Marlo’s primary focus. You’ll see her back on NBC this November, and you can participate through partner retailers like Kmart, Domino's, and HomeGoods.
- Read "It Ain’t Over…Till It’s Over": If you're going through a life transition yourself, Marlo's book on reinvention is surprisingly relevant to what she’s experiencing right now. It features stories of women who started over after 60, 70, and 80.
- Watch the AAF Hall of Fame: Keep an eye out for her induction in April 2026. Her speech is expected to be a major reflection on her career and her late husband’s influence on her work.
Marlo Thomas is proving that while you can't control what life takes away from you, you can absolutely control what you build with what's left.