The Right Stuff: Donnie Wahlberg’s Journey to Marital Bliss
For a public figure who rose to fame as a member of a global boy band and later found success as an actor on hit TV dramas, Donnie Wahlberg’s personal life has often been a subject of intense public scrutiny. Yet, despite the chaos of celebrity, he has managed to build a deeply personal, loving life—one that required navigating the complexity of a previous marriage and the ultimate divorce that followed.
Today, Wahlberg is celebrated for his rock-solid, supportive partnership with TV personality Jenny McCarthy. Their relationship is an inspirational second-chance romance for many fans, highlighting the journey from past heartbreak to building a successful blended family. To understand the strength of his current marriage, it’s essential to look back at his entire marriage history, starting with his first wife, Kim Fey.
First Chapter: Donnie Wahlberg and Kimberly Fey (1999–2010)
Donnie Wahlberg’s first marriage was to Kimberly Fey, a relationship that began far from the public eye of his second marriage.
The Timeline of the First Marriage
- Relationship Start: Wahlberg and Fey began dating in the early 1990s, during the peak of the New Kids on the Block phenomenon. They reportedly met after she contributed to one of the band’s albums.
- Children: The couple welcomed their first son, Xavier Alexander, in 1993, and their second son, Elijah Hendrix, followed in 2001. Becoming a father profoundly impacted Wahlberg, shifting his focus from his legacy to providing for his children.
- Wedding: Donnie Wahlberg and Kimberly Fey tied the knot in August 1999, making their union official after several years and one child together.
- Separation and Divorce: After nearly a decade of marriage, the couple separated in January 2008. They both filed for divorce in August 2008, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2010.
While the split was amicable, with Wahlberg’s representative stating they “remain friends,” the process involved navigating the sensitive issues of spousal support and custody of their two young sons. The divorce closed a significant chapter of Wahlberg’s life, leading to a period of focus on his children and his burgeoning acting career, most notably his long-running role on Blue Bloods.
A New Kid on the Talk Show Block: Meeting Jenny McCarthy
After his divorce was finalized, Donnie Wahlberg spent several years as a single father before his path crossed with actress, model, and TV personality Jenny McCarthy. Their relationship started as a casual on-screen encounter that quickly turned into a passionate, headline-making romance.
The Relationship Timeline with Jenny McCarthy
| Date | Event | Details |
| 2012 | First Meeting | Donnie and Jenny first met as guests on the Bravo talk show, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. |
| March 2013 | Sparks Fly | Wahlberg was a guest on McCarthy’s own talk show, The Jenny McCarthy Show (VH1). The interview, intended to be short, lasted over an hour and was filled with obvious chemistry and playful flirting, officially igniting their romance. |
| April 2014 | Engagement | McCarthy announced their engagement on The View, flashing a stunning 10-carat yellow sapphire ring. |
| August 31, 2014 | Wedding | The couple married at the historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois (near McCarthy’s hometown of Chicago). |
The speed and intensity of their relationship were notable. After years of separate high-profile relationships (McCarthy was previously married to John Asher and dated Jim Carrey), both Donnie and Jenny admitted they were cautious but felt an undeniable connection.
Building the Blended Wahlberg Family
Donnie and Jenny’s second marriage wasn’t just a union of two individuals; it was the blending of two established families. They embraced the challenge of merging their lives and children:
- Donnie’s Sons: Xavier and Elijah, from his first marriage to Kim Fey.
- Jenny’s Son: Evan, from her first marriage to John Asher.
The couple relocated to Illinois, near McCarthy’s family, and intentionally built their life around their children. Donnie has often praised Jenny for being an exceptional stepmother, building a strong, loving relationship with his sons. Similarly, Wahlberg has been a supportive stepfather to Evan, particularly regarding his journey with autism advocacy.
The couple even chronicled the early days of their blended family life, their hectic schedules, and their deep, enduring bond on their reality show, Donnie Loves Jenny, which aired on A&E.
A Love Built to Last: Vows and Resilience
One of the most defining characteristics of Donnie and Jenny’s marriage has been their commitment to keeping the romance alive, often celebrated through public gestures and, perhaps most notably, vow renewals.
The couple is known for frequent, private vow renewals, with McCarthy joking in one interview that they’ve had “10 vow renewals” in ten years of marriage. In August 2024, they marked their 10th wedding anniversary with a ceremony at the same venue where they married, reaffirming their commitment to one another.
They have been open about the challenges of a celebrity marriage—specifically, dealing with long distances due to their busy schedules (Donnie filming Blue Bloods in New York and Jenny filming The Masked Singer in Los Angeles) and overcoming the “past trauma” that each carried from previous relationships. Their willingness to communicate openly and maintain a playful, deeply empathetic connection is frequently credited by them as the secret to their sustained happiness and why they have publicly declared they will “never, ever” get divorced.
Donnie Wahlberg’s marriage history is a testament to resilience: a long first chapter that ended in divorce, followed by a serendipitous meeting that led to a lasting, passionate second act with Jenny McCarthy. It’s a love story that proves sometimes, the right stuff is worth the wait.
