Walk into any airport lounge or flip through daytime TV channels over the last twenty-five years, and you’ll inevitably see that mustache. Phil McGraw—better known to the world as Dr. Phil—built a media empire by telling people to get real about their lives. But when it comes to his own personal life, people always have one question: is Dr. Phil married?
Yeah, he is. He’s been married to Robin McGraw for nearly half a century. In the world of Hollywood and high-stakes television, that’s basically an eternity. It's longer than some countries have existed. While most celebrity marriages crumble under the weight of the spotlight or the stress of a demanding production schedule, the McGraws have stayed remarkably consistent. But it wasn't always smooth sailing, and his current marriage isn't his first.
The Reality of the McGraw Marriage
When you ask is Dr. Phil married, you’re really asking about Robin. Robin McGraw has been a staple of the Dr. Phil show since it premiered in 2002. She was usually the one sitting in the front row, smiling, and walking off-stage hand-in-hand with him at the end of every episode. That’s not just for the cameras. They got married back in 1976. That’s 1976—the year of the Bicentennial and the release of Rocky.
They met under somewhat unusual circumstances. Phil was actually in the process of an annulment from his first wife when he met Robin. He was 23; she was younger. According to Robin’s own accounts in her books like Inside My Heart, she knew almost immediately that he was the one. They didn't wait around long. They tied the knot and started a life in Texas long before the bright lights of Los Angeles called.
Phil often credits Robin as his "anchor." It’s a bit of a cliché, sure, but in their case, it seems to hold some weight. He’s the brash, often loud-talking Texan who tells people they’re acting like fools. She’s the one who softens that image.
The First Marriage Nobody Remembers
Most people assume Robin is the only wife Phil has ever had. She isn't.
Back in 1970, a 20-year-old Phil McGraw married Debbie Higgins McCall. She was a cheerleader and homecoming queen; he was a college football player. It was the quintessential Texas story. But it didn't last. By 1973, the marriage was over.
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Debbie later spoke to the press—most notably the Kansas City Star—claiming that Phil was domineering and pressured her to quit her job. She described a version of him that sounds a lot like the "tough love" persona he uses on TV, but applied to a marriage in the early 70s. Phil hasn't spent much time talking about this period of his life on his show. He usually focuses on the success of his long-term partnership with Robin.
The annulment was finalized right around the time he met Robin Jo Jameson. It’s a reminder that even the guy who gives relationship advice for a living had a "starter marriage" that failed. Honestly, it makes him a bit more human, even if he doesn't broadcast it.
How They Stay Together (According to Them)
So, how do you stay married for 48 years while living in the chaotic bubble of celebrity?
Robin is very vocal about her "rules" for a successful marriage. She’s famously said that they don't fight. Now, before you roll your eyes—because everyone fights—she clarified that they made a pact early on never to "yell" or "devalue" each other during disagreements. They call it a "no-fighting" rule, but it’s more like a "no-disrespect" rule.
- They prioritize "alone time" away from their kids and grandkids.
- Robin has admitted to "courting" her husband every day.
- They work together. Robin has her own lifestyle and skincare brand, but her presence in Phil’s business ventures is constant.
Phil, on the other hand, talks about "negotiating" the relationship. He views marriage as a contract that needs constant updating. If you’re still trying to live by the rules you set in your 20s when you’re in your 70s, you’re going to have a bad time. He’s big on "defining the relationship" (DTR) constantly.
The Lawsuits and Rumors
You can't be as famous as Dr. Phil without the tabloids trying to divorce you every six months. For decades, The National Enquirer and other gossip rags have run headlines claiming the McGraws were headed for a multi-million dollar split.
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In 2016, they fought back. Hard.
The McGraws filed a massive $250 million defamation lawsuit against the parent company of The National Enquirer. They were tired of the "malicious" lies about their marriage. The lawsuit was eventually dropped after a settlement was reached, but it sent a clear message: don't mess with the brand. The brand is the marriage. If the marriage fails, the advice looks hollow. They know that.
Living the Grandparent Life
These days, the question of is Dr. Phil married is usually followed by "and what are their kids doing?" They have two sons, Jay and Jordan.
Jay McGraw followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a producer and a writer. He’s the one behind The Doctors. Jordan is a musician. The family is incredibly tight-knit. You’ll often see them all together on social media, especially now that Phil has transitioned from his long-running daytime show to his new venture, Merit Street Media.
The move to Merit Street, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is actually a homecoming. It brings them back to where they started. It’s a full-circle moment for a couple that has spent the last two decades as the king and queen of daytime TV in California.
Why the Marriage Matters to His Brand
Phil’s entire career is built on the idea that he has the answers to life’s toughest problems. If he were a thrice-divorced guy giving marriage advice, his ratings would have tanked years ago. The fact that he can point to Robin in the audience and say, "We've been doing this for nearly 50 years," gives him a level of credibility that other TV doctors just don't have.
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It’s not just about love; it’s about "walking the walk."
Final Insights on the McGraw Union
The answer to is Dr. Phil married is a resounding yes. He’s married to Robin McGraw, and has been since August 14, 1976. While he had a brief, unsuccessful marriage in his early twenties, his life has been defined by his partnership with Robin.
Their relationship survived the transition from private life in Texas to the peak of Hollywood fame. It survived lawsuits, tabloid rumors, and the intense scrutiny that comes with being a household name. Whether you love his advice or find him polarizing, you can’t deny the longevity of his personal life.
If you’re looking to apply some "Dr. Phil-isms" to your own life based on his marriage, here are the takeaways:
- Set Ground Rules Early: Don't wait for a crisis to decide how you’re going to handle arguments.
- Evolve Together: The person you married at 25 isn't the person you're living with at 50. Acknowledge the change.
- Protect Your Privacy: Even if you aren't famous, keeping your "inner circle" tight prevents outside noise from ruining your dynamic.
- Support Each Other's Growth: Robin didn't just stay in Phil’s shadow; she built her own brand with his vocal support.
For anyone tracking the McGraws in 2026, expect to see them continuing their work in Texas, likely with even more focus on family and their new media network. They’ve proven that in the world of celebrity, sometimes the most shocking thing you can do is actually stay together.