What is Marlo Thomas' Net Worth?
Marlo Thomas is an American actress, producer, and social activist who has a net worth of $150 million. That is a combined net worth with her late husband, talk show personality Phil Donahue. They were married from 1980 until his death in 2024.
Marlo Thomas first gained widespread recognition for her starring role in the hit TV series "That Girl" (1966-1971), where she played Ann Marie, an aspiring actress in New York City. This groundbreaking show was one of the first to feature an independent, career-minded woman as the central character.
Thomas has also made significant contributions to children's entertainment and education. She produced the acclaimed "Free to Be… You and Me" project in 1972, which included a TV special, book, and album promoting gender neutrality and diversity. Throughout her career, Thomas has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and Broadway productions. She has won four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy for her work in entertainment. In addition to her acting career, Thomas is known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her long-standing involvement with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father, Danny Thomas.
Early Life
Marlo Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 21st, 1937. Her family was heavily involved in the entertainment industry, as her father was the comedian Danny Thomas. She would later star alongside her father in an episode of "Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre." Her brother later became a film producer. Marlo Thomas is of Italian and Lebanese ancestry. Thomas was raised in Beverly Hills, California, and she attended the University of Southern California, where she obtained a teaching degree.
Career
Marlo Thomas pursued a career as an actress from a young age, and she was rewarded with a number of roles in various television series. Her earliest roles were on shows like "Ben Casey," "My Favorite Martian," and "Bonanza." Her breakthrough came when she was cast in the well-received play "Barefoot in the Park" in 1965. She performed the play in London and was later cast in further Broadway productions.
Another important breakthrough for Thomas came when she was cast in the leading role in "That Girl." The show was one of the first to focus on a female lead character who did not live with her parents; it told the story of a young, up-and-coming actress struggling to make it in New York. The show was incredibly successful and ran from 1966 to 1971.
After writing a children's book entitled "Free to Be… You and Me" in 1972, Marlo Thomas created a number of television specials based on the story. She also released a children's music album called "Marlo Thomas and Friends: Thanks and Giving All Year Long." After the end of "That Girl," she continued to appear in a wide variety of television shows and movies. In 2015, she appeared in the Broadway play "Clever Little Lies."
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Personal Life
Marlo Thomas had a long relationship with Herb Gardner, a playwright, screenwriter, and cartoonist. She became a stepmother to Harb Gardner's five children from a previous marriage.
In 1977, Marlo appeared as a guest on the daytime talk show "Donahue." Marlo and Phil reportedly fell in love at first sight. They married in May 1980. She became stepmother to Phil's five children from a previous marriage. They remained married until his death in 2024 at the age of 88.
Philanthropy
A considerable portion of Marlo Thomas' career has consisted of philanthropic work. In 1973, she helped set up the first women's fund in the United States, the Ms. Foundation for Women. She also served as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and donated royalties from various children's books and albums to the hospital.
Awards
Over the course of her acting career, Marlo Thomas has won five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. She won a Grammy Award for her children's album. In addition, Marlo Thomas has been recognized for her work in changing the way women are portrayed in film and television. For these accomplishments, she was awarded a Women in Film Lucy Award.
For her philanthropic work, Marlo Thomas won a Peabody Award. She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
Real Estate
In 1986, Phil and Marlo bought a 17-room home in Westport, Connecticut for an undisclosed price. In 1988, they paid just under $7 million for a 7-acre connected property. They sold the combined estate to a financier in 2006 for $25 million. That same year, they bought a pair of side-by-side parcels right next to their former estate for an unknown amount. They listed the roughly 6.5-acre property for sale in 2012 for $27.5 million, ultimately accepting $20 million in 2013. They also own an apartment in Manhattan. Here is a video tour of their former Westport estate:
