and his family remained central to his life outside the television studio.
His marriage to actress Marlo Thomas became one of the most recognizable relationships in American entertainment.
Thomas was already a celebrated performer, best known for her role in the television series That Girl, when she appeared on Donahue’s show in 1977.
Their first meeting took place in the context of an interview, but the connection between them quickly became personal.
They married in 1980 and remained together for 44 years.
Their relationship was built during a period when