Doctor Phil McGraw: the story of his two marriages and family happiness
29 october 2025 в 18:13
Doctor Phil McGraw finished his tenure on the show «Doctor Phil» many years ago. The talk show host and author, who holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, first became known by appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show as a relationship expert. However, after a few years, his popularity became evident, and he launched his own talk show «Doctor Phil», - which lasted for a total of 21 seasons. During his rise to television success, Doctor Phil was married twice. His current marriage to wife Robin has lasted for decades, but he also had a previous wife with whom he spent much less time. Here is everything you need to know about Robin McGraw and Debbie Higgins McColl, the two women who called Doctor Phil their husband.
Phil, born (Philip Calvin in 1950,) was only 20 years old when he married Debbie Higgins in 1970. But according to Debbie, things did not go as planned. According to Wikipedia, she accused him of being controlling, even expecting her to start weightlifting to increase the size of her breasts. Eventually, she claimed that their marriage ended after three years due to infidelity.
As for how it all began, the TV host once said that the marriage was inevitable. «I was a big football player, and she was a cheerleader», - Doctor Phil said in 2002, according to Newsweek. «It was just the next step». He claimed that there were never any arguments leading to the end of the marriage. «We never fought», - he said. «We just sat down and said, 'Why did we do this?'» They annulled their marriage in 1973.
According to The U.S. Sun, Debbie worked as an editor on the 2013 film «Demon Hunters: Fear the Silence». She passed away in 2014.
Doctor Phil began dating his current wife, then Robin Jo Jameson, in 1973, while still going through the annulment process with Debbie. They eventually married in 1976 and have since welcomed two children, Jay and Jordan McGraw. Robin, now 69, has been quite visible as an activist, public speaker, and philanthropist alongside her husband, often appearing on his show and managing the Robin McGraw and Doctor Phil Foundation «When Georgia Smiles».
According to Doctor Phil’s official website, her mission is to «effect real change by creating and expanding programs that help women and children — especially those who have suffered from domestic violence — live healthy, safe, and joyful lives».
In an interview back in 2014, she explained one of the secrets to their enduring marriage, which has now lasted for 50 years. «But we don’t fight because we had a conversation right away, and I told him that it’s unnatural for me to be in a home where people are yelling and screaming — my parents didn’t do that, I don’t do that, and I don’t want to live in a home like that», - she told New You magazine at the time. «He understood and never raised his voice around me. We don’t fight».
They have been married for 46 years and also have two grandchildren
Phil, born (Philip Calvin in 1950,) was only 20 years old when he married Debbie Higgins in 1970. But according to Debbie, things did not go as planned. According to Wikipedia, she accused him of being controlling, even expecting her to start weightlifting to increase the size of her breasts. Eventually, she claimed that their marriage ended after three years due to infidelity.
As for how it all began, the TV host once said that the marriage was inevitable. «I was a big football player, and she was a cheerleader», - Doctor Phil said in 2002, according to Newsweek. «It was just the next step». He claimed that there were never any arguments leading to the end of the marriage. «We never fought», - he said. «We just sat down and said, 'Why did we do this?'» They annulled their marriage in 1973.
According to The U.S. Sun, Debbie worked as an editor on the 2013 film «Demon Hunters: Fear the Silence». She passed away in 2014.
Doctor Phil began dating his current wife, then Robin Jo Jameson, in 1973, while still going through the annulment process with Debbie. They eventually married in 1976 and have since welcomed two children, Jay and Jordan McGraw. Robin, now 69, has been quite visible as an activist, public speaker, and philanthropist alongside her husband, often appearing on his show and managing the Robin McGraw and Doctor Phil Foundation «When Georgia Smiles».
According to Doctor Phil’s official website, her mission is to «effect real change by creating and expanding programs that help women and children — especially those who have suffered from domestic violence — live healthy, safe, and joyful lives».
In an interview back in 2014, she explained one of the secrets to their enduring marriage, which has now lasted for 50 years. «But we don’t fight because we had a conversation right away, and I told him that it’s unnatural for me to be in a home where people are yelling and screaming — my parents didn’t do that, I don’t do that, and I don’t want to live in a home like that», - she told New You magazine at the time. «He understood and never raised his voice around me. We don’t fight».
They have been married for 46 years and also have two grandchildren
© Smirnova Olga
