Marlo Thomas makes first public appearance since Phil Donahue’s death

Marlo Thomas appears at Family Equality’s Night , marking her first public outing since Phil Donahue’s death.

Marlo Thomas made her first public appearance since the passing of her husband, Phil Donahue, at Family Equality’s Night at the Pier gala on May 12 in New York City.

The Emmy-winning actress and activist appeared in good spirits as she joined fellow celebrities in support of LGBTQ+ families.

Thomas, 86, had remained out of the spotlight following Donahue’s death in August 2024 at age 88 after a long illness. The two were married for 44 years after meeting on The Phil Donahue Show in 1977 and tying the knot in 1980. Known for their enduring partnership, Thomas once credited their bond to “love, listening, and lust.”

The annual gala, held at Pier Sixty in Chelsea, raised $1.5 million to support Family Equality’s mission to advance legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families nationwide. Thomas joined Demi Moore and Debbie Harry to present the Luigi Caiola Luminary Award to Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson for their advocacy work.

“The power to create a family doesn’t come from gender or tradition, it comes from love,” Moore said during the event.

Notable attendees included Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Jessica Lange, Billy Eichner, Lucy Liu, and Zachary Quinto. Performers Nicole Scherzinger, Megan Hilty, and Darren Criss energized the evening with musical performances.

Family Equality CEO Darra Gordon called the gala “more than a moment — it’s a movement,” underscoring the organization’s dedication to securing protections for LGBTQ+ families.

Thomas’s appearance marked a heartfelt return, reinforcing her longtime advocacy for inclusion, equality, and family empowerment.