Donnie Wahlberg is a divorced man, though many fans may not know it because the actor and singer has kept much of his personal life private. Best known for New Kids on the Block and his role on Blue Bloods, Wahlberg is now happily married to Jenny McCarthy, but both have previous marriages behind them.
Wahlberg married Kim Fey in 1999, and the couple had two children together. Their marriage ended in separation in 2008 after they cited irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2010 after what was described as a difficult legal battle, including a request from Fey for sole custody of the children. Because the court records were sealed, the details of the judge’s decision were not made public. The exact reason for the breakup was never confirmed, although at the time some observers speculated that Wahlberg’s friendship with Canadian model Michelle Tomlinson may have played a role.
Wahlberg’s next major relationship began in 2012, when he and McCarthy appeared together on Andy Cohen’s Bravo show Watch What Happens Live. Their first encounter did not lead to a date immediately, but Wahlberg later recalled that Cohen encouraged him to ask McCarthy out. The pair met again about a year later on McCarthy’s talk show, and that second meeting helped spark their relationship. McCarthy later said she had gone a year without dating anyone and felt ready to give Wahlberg her phone number, something she had rarely done before.
The couple’s romance developed quickly, and they eventually married, building a blended family and splitting time between work on both coasts and life in Illinois, McCarthy’s home state. By all public accounts, their marriage has remained strong and supportive.
With Blue Bloods now finished, Wahlberg is preparing for a new chapter in his career, including a Boston-based spinoff. Even as his professional life changes, he continues to have McCarthy by his side. Their relationship, which began with an unexpected on-air meeting, has become a long-lasting second act for both stars.
