Iconic talk show host, a groundbreaker in the field, passes away at 88 – ‘His show broke RECORDS’

Phil Donahue, the “king of daytime talk” in the US, has died aged 88 in his Manhattan home on August 18.

In a statement to Today, his family confirmed the news, stating that the talk show host died following a long illness. During his final hours, he was surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, Michael, Daniel, Kevin, and Mary Rose, his grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.

The exact caused of death hasn’t been revealed.

Donahue hosted The Phil Donahue Show, later renamed Donahue, for nearly three decades, interviewing celebrities, politicians, and many of the iconic figures of his time, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, and Dolly Parton among the rest.

Throughout his career, he hosted more than 6,000 episodes and often took on controversial social issues, inviting the audience to take part in the discussions and setting a new format for daytime talk shows.

Donahue was also known as a prominent feminist and supporter of women’s rights since the late 1960s.

He was born in Cleveland in 1935 and started his media career in the late 1950s, initially working both in talk radio and television. He launched his namesake talk show in 1967. The show moved from Ohio to Chicago in 1974, rebranding as simply Donahue.

His wife took to Instagram to thank her followers “for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you’ve let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years.”

She wrote she would be stepping away from her page for a while in order to take some time and to take care of herself after losing her dear husband.

Celebrities, among which Oprah Winfrey, paid their tributes to the man who helped pave the way for other talk-show hosts.

“There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,” Winfrey wrote alongside a black and white photo of her and the late host. “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.”

Our thoughts and prayers go to Phil Donahue’s family.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Monica Pop
Monica Pop
Monica Pop is a senior writer for Bored Daddy magazine covering the latest trending and popular articles across the United States and around the world.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

5 everyday drinks that can harm your liver like alcohol

As the second largest organ in the human body, the liver is responsible for metabolizing nutrients and detoxifying the bloodstream. When too much fat...

She deceived my granddaughter — and I let her get caught in her own trap

When my daughter, Meredith, passed away, I was heartbroken — not only because of the pain and grief that settled in my heart from...

The photograph of a little boy who became one of the most recognizable men today

A photograph of a little boy went viral after people started sharing it and asking others to guess who that boy grew up to...

Place garlic under your pillow and see what happens

That garlic offers an abundance of impressive health benefits is a well-known truth. Not only does it add flavor to most of your favorite...

It was late afternoon when 16-year-old Jake walked through the front door holding a baby

When 16-year-old Jake rushed into the house with a baby in his arms, his mother froze. "Oh, Jake, whose baby is that?" she asked...

Donald Trump’s shock response when asked whether he would pardon Diddy if found guilty

Sean "Diddy" Combs is on trial in New York City on federal charges of s*x trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty,...