Hollywood marriages are basically built on sand. Usually, by the time the ink dries on the wedding certificate, someone is already calling a lawyer or deleting Instagram photos.
But then you have Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy.
They’ve been together over a decade now, which in "celebrity years" is roughly equivalent to a century. People look at them and see the glitz—the New Kids on the Block tours, The Masked Singer costumes, and the constant red-carpet PDA. Honestly, though? The reality of their relationship is way more grounded (and a little weirder) than the highlights reel suggests.
The Meet-Cute That Almost Wasn't
Most folks think they met and it was instant sparks. Not quite.
They first crossed paths on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live in 2012. Andy actually told Donnie he should ask her out. He didn’t. He thought she was married.
Fast forward a year later. Donnie shows up as a guest on The Jenny McCarthy Show on VH1. This time, the vibe was different. Jenny was doing her "homework" and realized he was single. The interview was supposed to last nine minutes. It went for 90.
There was this moment—now legendary among fans—where Donnie nibbled on her ear while holding a lollipop. High-level flirting. But even after that, Donnie didn’t call her for two weeks.
🔗 Read more: Bhavana Pandey Explained: What Most People Get Wrong About the Original Bollywood Wife
Why? Because he thought she gave her number to everyone. He didn't want to be just another name in her phone. It took a literal psychic on Jenny’s show predicting they’d get married for him to finally pick up the phone.
Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy: The Vow Renewal Obsession
If you follow them, you know they renew their wedding vows every single year. Every. Single. Year.
A lot of people think this is a bit much. Some even call it a "jinx." Even Kelly Ripa told Jenny she’s "anti-vow renewal" because it feels like tempting fate.
But for Donnie and Jenny, it’s a "reboot." Like updating your phone's software. They married in August 2014 at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois—the same place they had their first public appearance.
For the first nine years, Donnie made it a surprise. He’d ambush her with a minister and a violinist while she was in sweatpants with no makeup. Once, he even surprised her via Zoom. For their 11th anniversary in 2025, things shifted. Jenny basically told him, "No more surprises." She wanted to make sure her hair and makeup were actually ready for the photos.
It’s easy to mock, but there’s a logic to it. Life gets busy. Work pulls them in different directions. Taking twenty minutes once a year to look each other in the eye and say "I’m still in" actually works for them.
💡 You might also like: Benjamin Kearse Jr Birthday: What Most People Get Wrong
The "FaceTime Sleeping" Habit
This is the part that usually makes people tilt their heads.
Donnie is often in New York filming Blue Bloods (which finally wrapped its historic run recently) or its spinoff Boston Blue. Jenny is frequently in Los Angeles for The Masked Singer. They live in Illinois.
To bridge the gap, they "FaceTime sleep."
They literally leave the phone on the pillow next to them all night so they can hear each other breathe. They wake up together on screen. Jenny’s son, Evan, has even started doing the same thing with his girlfriend.
Is it "extra"? Absolutely. But it’s how they managed to stay connected despite the brutal travel schedules of two A-listers.
Blending the Family Without the Drama
You don’t hear about "evil stepparent" stories here.
📖 Related: Are Sugar Bear and Jennifer Still Married: What Really Happened
Donnie has two sons, Xavier and Elijah, from his first marriage to Kimberly Fey. Jenny has her son, Evan, from her marriage to John Asher.
The kids are adults now. Xavier is fronting a metal band called Upon Stone. Elijah has his own musical project, Pink Laces. Evan, who Jenny has famously advocated for regarding his autism diagnosis, is now 23 and thriving.
The "secret sauce" was something Donnie insisted on from day one: the relationship comes first. In their first marriages, they both admitted to putting the kids before the spouse. This time, they decided to prioritize their bond to show the kids what a healthy, affectionate marriage looks like. It was a risk. Initially, it was awkward. But eventually, the kids saw the stability and became best friends themselves.
What’s Next for the Wahlberg-McCarthys?
As we move through 2026, the couple isn't slowing down. They recently launched Work Baby Productions under a three-year deal with Lionsgate. They aren't just partners in life; they’re building a business empire.
They’re focusing on unscripted content and podcasts. Jenny is even developing a new talk show-video podcast hybrid with Telepictures, where Donnie is slated to show up for recurring segments.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of Us:
- Preemptive Therapy: Both Donnie and Jenny are vocal about doing individual and couples therapy before problems start. They call it "fortifying the relationship."
- The 20-Minute Rule: No matter how busy, they prioritize "dating" each other.
- Modeling Love: Don’t be afraid to be affectionate in front of your kids. Showing them a loving partnership is just as important as direct parenting.
Their story isn't about being perfect. It’s about two people who failed at marriage once, learned the hard way, and decided to do the "work" to make the second time count.
If you want to keep up with their latest projects, watch for the launch of Jenny's new hybrid talk show later this year, which promises a behind-the-scenes look at their daily life in Illinois.