Marge Cooney

Marge Cooney is a name not often heard. Many are unaware that Marge was"s first ex-wife. They met during their college years and married right after graduation.

Marge and Phil were together for 17 years but decided to call it quits. Unfortunately, Marge passed away in 2018. Explore more about the life of Marge Cooney and uncover her life before death in this article. Here is everything we know about Marge.

Who is Marge Cooney?

Marge Cooney, also known as Margret Cooney, is the ex-wife of Donahue. Phil is an American journalist, anchor, and author. People started noticing her after marrying Phil, as she was not well-known before that.

While Cooney gained recognition through her marriage to Phil, little is known about her professional career. However, she was part of St. Mark's Church at Spring Lake Golf Club. Details about her early life, including her birth date, parents, and childhood, are also limited. 

Cooney graduated from the same university where her husband, Phil, graduated. Cooney and Phil studied at the University of Notre Dame. Phil earned a degree in business administration. However, Cooney's degree is not known. 

Marge, Ex-Wife of the King of Daytime Talk, Phill Donahue

Cooney and Phil first met during their college years, marking the beginning of their relationship. They both graduated from the same university, the University of Notre Dame. The couple tied the knot right after their graduation in 1958.

Following the marriage, Phil became a pioneer in daytime talk shows, earning the title of the "King of Daytime Talk." Meanwhile, Cooney fostered five children during their time together. Like most celebrity marriages, their marriage did not last as well.

The couple, despite being unhappy in their marriage, initially chose to stay together for the sake of their children. But in the end, they decided to separate. The couple were together for more than 17 years, but they decided to call it quits in 1975.

Marge Cooney: Mother of Five

Marge has five children: Michael Phillip Donahue, Kevin John Donahue, Daniel Timothy Donahue, Mary Rose Donahue, and James "Jim" Patrick Donahue. Marge and Phil did not have a happy relationship and decided to separate in 1975. 

Cooney's five children took varied paths. Michael pursued a media career, Kevin showed interest in marathons, and Daniel resided in Connecticut. Mary Rose chose a private life in New Mexico. The youngest, James, worked as a researcher but passed away in 2014.

After their divorce, Phil took custody of four sons. On the other hand, Marge took care of their daughter, Mary. In 1980, Phil married Marlo Thomas, who became the stepmother to their children. Unfortunately, in 2014, Marge and Phil experienced the heartbreaking loss of their youngest child, James.

Loss of Their Youngest Child

Jim Donahue, the youngest child of Phil Donahue and Marge Cooney, passed away in August 2014 at 51. He died because of a problem with his heart called an aortic aneurysm. Jim had worked for over 20 years as an investigative researcher before he passed away. 

Jim's death was a significant loss for the Donahue family. His ashes were scattered in the waters of Honolulu, a place he loved and where he would forever be at peace, according to an official statement from the family.

Marge Cooney Career

Conney's career details are limited, but she actively participated in community activities, being a member of Sea Girt's St. Mark's Church, Spring Lake Golf Club, and St. Joan of Arc Church in Boca Raton in Florida. She was a genuine Christian and believed in giving back to society.

Whereas her husband, Phil, made a name in the entertainment industry. He began in media, working on TV after being a production assistant and program director. He became known as the host of 'The Phil Donahue Show' in 1970, moving it to Chicago and New York City. 

Phil did other projects, like co-hosting 'The U.S.-Soviet Space Bridge' and returning to TV with 'Donahue' in 2002. He also helped make the Oscar-nominated documentary 'Body of War' in 2007.

How Much Was Conney's Net Worth?

Conney's actual net worth is not known. However, being the ex-wife of the talk show pioneer could mean she got a hefty sum as a divorce settlement. Cooney also took over Mary and moved to New Mexico. She could have gotten funds as child support.

Phil Donahue is estimated to have a net worth of around $150 million. His net worth is much more than Lizzie Vaynerchuk's. Phil has achieved notable success, winning 20 Emmy Awards and ten awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host during his broadcasting career. 

Additionally, he received prestigious honors like the Peabody Award in 1980 and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame on November 20, 1983.

For more interesting bios and gossip, visit MARRIEDCELEB.