The story of his marriage to his wife Robin, is explained

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Keeping a marriage together is a tough thing in Hollywood, no matter what kind of star you are!

Now, to clear the air, Dr. Phil is not divorced, despite recent rumors to the contrary.

But, he once had a wedding annulled—a fact that even longtime fans may not have known.

That’s because the self-help guru very rarely mentions his first trip down the aisle. And in fairness to Phil, there’s good reason for that.

Phil has been married to his current wife, Robin McGraw, since 1976, but he’s been married once before — and it didn’t last long.

Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robin McGraw attend the ceremony honoring Dr. Phil McGraw with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California.Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robin McGraw attend the ceremony honoring Dr. Phil McGraw with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robin McGraw attend the ceremony honoring Dr. Phil McGraw with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

How his first marriage ended

Phil married Debbie Higgins McCall in 1970 when he was 20 years old.

By all accounts, the marriage was not a happy one.

“I was the big football player and she was the cheerleader. It was just the next thing to do,” Phil once said Newsweekadding that he and Debbie parted ways on friendly terms:

“We’ve never had a crossword puzzle,” he said. “We just sat down and said, ‘Why did we do this?’

Debbie claims the relationship ended because of Phil’s infidelity, but we may never know for sure what led the young couple to go their separate ways.

Whatever the case, Phil has good reason to rarely mention his first marriage.

Besides ending on bad terms, it ended over 50 years ago!

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw: Are They Still Together?

Robin McGraw and TV personality Phil McGraw attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. Robin McGraw and TV personality Phil McGraw attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.
Robin McGraw and TV personality Phil McGraw attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Fortunately, Phil had much better luck in his second marriage.

He and Robin have been married for nearly 50 years and have two children together, Jay McGraw and Jordan McGraw.

Robin and Phil started dating while he was in the process of getting his first marriage annulled and got married at the first opportunity.

Dr. Phil McGraw and Robin McGraw on stage during the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS Chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Phil McGraw and Robin McGraw on stage during the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS Chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Phil McGraw and Robin McGraw on stage during the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS Chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As they approach 50 years, both parties often ask the secret to a long, successful marriage.

Not surprisingly, both say communication and honesty are the keys.

And in the case of the McGraws, this formula was so successful that they never fought!

“We don’t fight, and it’s because we had a conversation early on and I told him it’s not natural for me to be in a house where people are screaming and shouting – my parents didn’t do it, I don’t do it and I don’t want to live in a house like that Robin once said New You magazine (via Hollywood Life).

“He took it and never raised his voice around me. We don’t fight.”

Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw arrive Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw arrive
Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw arrive at “A Night of Honor” hosted by Dr. Phil McGraw at the Universal Hilton Hotel on October 4, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

How retirement saved their marriage

Phil’s long-running daytime talk show may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean he’s sitting at home enjoying a quiet retirement.

The Texas native’s new Street Media TV network launches today and could prove to be a very profitable venture.

And whatever happens, Phil is sure to benefit from Robin’s continued support at this exciting new stage in his career!

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