Marlo Thomas Misses Annual ‘Today’ Segment After Husband Phil Donahue’s Death: ‘Taking Some Time Off’

Marlo Thomas was absent from St. Jude’s Thanks & Giving segment on Today this year, marking the first time she missed the tradition in more than two decades.

“For the first time in the 21 years of our series, Marlo is not with us this morning,” Savannah Guthrie explained to viewers during a Monday, November 25, episode of the show. “She’s taking some time off after the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue.”

Instead, Marlo’s brother, Tony Thomas, appeared on the show for the annual segment honoring the children’s research hospital, which was founded by their father, Danny Thomas, in 1962.

Phil died on August 18 at age 88 following a long illness, his family said in a statement at the time.

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During the segment on Monday, Hoda Kotb asked Tony how Marlo, 87, was doing in her time of grief.

“She loved her guy, that was a 44-year marriage that was a true love affair,” he explained.

“Everybody that called me said, ‘I can’t believe their marriage was such a love affair and the chemistry.’ It was … they were very, very close and I believe it’s going [to be] awhile before she can handle this.”

Marlo and Phil got married in 1980. At the time of their union, he was already a father to five kids, Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose and James, from his first marriage to Margaret Cooney.

“From the very first day, I decided that I was not going to try to be a ‘mother’ to Phil’s children in the traditional sense — they already had a mom — but, instead, to be their friend,” Marlo told AARP in May 2011 of their family dynamic. “When I was growing up, my mother was always a friend to my siblings and me (in addition to being all the other things a mom is), and I was always grateful for that because I knew she was someone I could talk to and joke with, and argue with and that nothing would ever harm that friendship. So I used that model with Phil’s kids, and I’m proud to say that the friendships I established with them are as strong today as they were 30 years ago — even stronger.”

The That Girl alum released a statement on Instagram after her husband’s death earlier this year.

“Hello, Friends. I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts,” she wrote on August 19.

“But I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you 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. “As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you’ve been sharing.”

“Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip,” Marlo concluded. “Love, Marlo. P.S. This is one of my favorite photos of Phil and me, taken on vacation.”