Marlo Thomas is an American actress, writer, producer,and social activist. This article explores Marlo Thomas Net Worth, her diverse achievements, social work, and cultural impact.
Full Name | Margaret Julia “Marlo” Thomas |
Born | November 21, 1937 (age 86), Detroit, Michigan, United States. |
Occupation | Actress, writer, producer |
Net Worth | $150 million |
Awards | 4 Emmy Awards, 1 Golden Globe, 1 Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedo. |
Marlo Thomas Net Worth
Marlo Thomas net worth of $150 million represents the enormous income he has earned through his acting, writing, producing, and community service. He has made a huge impact on the film industry and charities.

Marlo Thomas Biography: Key Events
Education and Career Start
Parents
- Marlo Thomas father, Danny Thomas, is a well-known comedian.
- Mother, Rose Marie Thomas.
Education
- Marlo Thomas graduated from Beverly Hills High School.
- Marlo Thomas studied at the University of Southern California.
- She majored in English Literature and Education.
Early Career
In the 1960s, Marlo Thomas began her acting career. Initially, she played small roles in popular American television series such as “Ben Casey” and “Bonanza”. These series were not big roles. But they helped her to showcase her talent.
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Breakout Role – That Girl (1966-1971)
In 1966, Marlo Thomas’s biggest breakthrough came in the television series “That Girl”. In this, she played the role of Ann Marie.
Character
- Ann Marie is a young woman.
- Living alone in New York City and dreaming of becoming an actress.
- A self-confident woman who struggles to live a life independent of her family.
Impact
In the 1960s, women in America were often portrayed as family-oriented or family-oriented. However, in That Girl, Marlo Thomas played a woman who lived alone and fought to achieve her dreams on her own. This was considered innovative and revolutionary at the time.
Historical Significance
That Girl and the character of Ann Marie were heralded as symbols of women’s liberation in the 1960s. They expressed the idea that women should find their self-respect, independence, and self-awareness. The character inspired the Women’s Liberation Movement and the women’s rights movement in the United States.
Children’s Media and Social Work
- In 1972, Marlo Thomas created a special children’s program called “Free to Be… You and Me”.
- It consisted of a song collection, a book, and a television show.
- She created it to teach children the concepts of gender equality and diversity in a simple way.
- That is, she tried to explain to children that women and people are equal! Everyone can be unique.
Awards
- This effort was very well received.
- The album “Free to Be… You and Me” won a Grammy Award.
- All of this received much attention as the best children’s media program and music album.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Marlo Thomas’ father Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1962. The hospital is a renowned institution that provides free treatment for cancer and life-threatening childhood diseases. Marlo Thomas served as a national consultant for the hospital.

Her Key Role
- She was actively involved in the hospital’s fundraising efforts.
- She helped raise a total of $2 billion (200 million dollars).
- With this funding, the hospital was able to bring in specialized treatments, research and new technologies.
- The hospital became the best hospital in the world in free treatment and child welfare.
Marlo Thomas Personal Life
Marlo Thomas personal life was excellent. In 1980, she married the famous television talk show host of the day, Phil Donahue. Their marriage lasted 44 years. They lived together until Phil Donahue’s death in 2024. This was the longest marriage in the entertainment world and a relationship without any problems between them.
Marlo Thomas did not have biological children. However, she was a loving mother to five children born to Bill Donavue from a previous marriage. As a surrogate mother, she devoted all her affection to them. She was directly involved in the development of the children and lived a life dedicated to her family.
Marlo Thomas hobbies She spent her personal time very productively and happily. Painting and cooking were her favorite activities. She showed great interest in cooking and serving new dishes to family and friends. Not only this, she was actively involved in humanitarian work and welfare programs throughout her life and tried to make changes in the society.
Property and Real Estate
Marlo Thomas and her husband Bill Donavue were both investors in large houses and high-value properties. In 1986, they bought a large 17-room house in Westport, Connecticut. The property is spread over 7 acres. The property is surrounded by natural surroundings and was considered a great investment at the time.
After several years, in 2006, they sold the property for $25 million. This was a major property sale that yielded a huge profit.
At the same time, in 2006, they purchased a 6.5-acre plot of land in Westport. They sold the property for $20 million in 2013. This was another major real estate transaction that she and her husband Bill made together.
Currently, as of 2025, Marlo Thomas lives in a beautiful apartment on Park Avenue in New York City. This luxurious apartment is a very valuable property because it is located in the heart of the city.
Awards and Recognition
Marlo Thomas has received numerous awards and recognitions for her long-standing acting career, community service, and work for the advancement of women.
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2014)
In 2014, Marlo Thomas was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. It is the most prestigious award given by the President of the United States. The award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of society, equality, and humanity. Marlo Thomas received this high recognition for dedicating a large part of her life to social justice, educational awareness, child welfare, and gender equality.
Peabody Award (1986)
In 1986, Marlo Thomas received the Peabody Award, a major media award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to society, especially through official media, television and radio programs, and media. Marlo is known for her social work at St. The award was given for her unique impact on the social work of the media industry through projects such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Free to Be… You and Me.
Women in Film Lucy Award (2010)
Marlo Thomas was also awarded the prestigious Women in Film Lucy Award in 2010. This award is given for her efforts to advance women in the film and television industries. Marlo Thomas received this award not only for her acting skills, but also for her efforts to create empowering characters for women and to emphasize women’s rights through the media. The drama That Girl, which she starred in, is considered one of the most important series in America that created the understanding that women can live independent lives.
Overall, Marlo Thomas has been awarded various prestigious awards at the local, national and international levels in recognition of her contributions to the arts, community service, and the advancement of women. This is a great testament to her multifaceted achievements.
Marlo Thomas – Major Activities After 2020
After 2020, Marlo Thomas has continued her social work and media contributions.
Podcast – “That’s What Friends Are For”
Marlo started a podcast titled “That’s What Friends Are For” after 2020. In this podcast, she talks about important social issues such as social justice, gender equality, women’s rights, and child welfare. It became a guiding platform for her to invite her close friends to share her experiences with them and talk in depth about social issues.
Book – “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny” (2022)
In 2022, Marlo Thomas published the book “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny”, compiling her autobiography and life experiences.
In this book…
- Her childhood
- Her experiences growing up as the daughter of famous comedian Danny Thomas
- Her experiences in the world of comedy
- Important events in her life
She has expressed humor and emotion.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 2025 Campus Expansion
Marlo was instrumental in raising $500 million (half a billion dollars) for the 2025 campus expansion plan for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This is one of the largest philanthropic efforts ever made for children in the United States and around the world to advance pediatric medical research and services.
Conclusion
Marlo Thomas is a cultural icon. She has made social change in all three fields: acting, writing, and community service. Her $150 million fortune is a testament to her talent, dedication, and humanity.