Donnie Wahlberg is everywhere. If you aren't watching him take down criminals as Danny Reagan on Blue Bloods, you're probably seeing him post a heartfelt Instagram tribute to his wife, Jenny McCarthy. They’re basically the poster couple for "finding love the second time around." But before the televised weddings and the blended family in Illinois, there was Kimberly Fey.
She’s the woman who was there during the height of the New Kids on the Block hysteria. Honestly, if you look back at the late 90s, she was the one by his side when he was transitioning from a "bad boy" pop star into a serious actor. Yet, despite being married to one of the most famous men on the planet for nearly a decade, she managed to stay almost entirely out of the tabloid meat grinder.
That’s no small feat.
The Studio Session That Started It All
So, how did they even meet? It wasn’t at some glitzy Hollywood premiere.
Back in 1991, Donnie was working on a project for his brother Mark Wahlberg—yes, the Funky Bunch era. Kimberly Fey was a talented session singer and sound engineer. She was 22. He was 22. They were just two young people in the music industry trying to make things happen.
They hit it off immediately.
They didn't rush to the altar, though. They dated for eight years. Think about that for a second. In celebrity years, an eight-year courtship is basically a lifetime. During that span, they had their first son, Xavier Alexander Wahlberg, in 1993.
They finally tied the knot on August 20, 1999. It was a small, private ceremony. No massive media circus. Just a couple who had already been together for nearly a decade deciding to make it official.
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Why Kimberly Fey Matters to the Wahlberg Legacy
People often overlook Kim's influence on Donnie’s career pivot. When they met, Donnie was the guy getting into trouble in hotel hallways. By the time they married, he was turning in a powerhouse performance in The Sixth Sense.
She was the stabilizer.
In 2001, they welcomed their second son, Elijah Hendrix Wahlberg. Life seemed settled. While Donnie was filming movies and eventually getting back into music with the NKOTB reunion, Kim was the primary force at home. She wasn't chasing the spotlight. She wasn't trying to be a "Real Housewife."
She was just Kim.
The Breakup Nobody Saw Coming
Everything changed in 2008.
The year started with the New Kids on the Block announcing a massive comeback tour. Fans were ecstatic. But behind the scenes, the foundation was cracking. In August 2008, Kimberly Fey filed for divorce.
She cited "irreconcilable differences," which is the standard Hollywood term for "it's just not working anymore." But here is where it gets kinda weird. Donnie filed his own papers the exact same day, but in a different county.
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It was a race to the courthouse.
- The Filing: Kim filed in Los Angeles.
- The Counter: Donnie filed in Ventura County.
- The Reason: Gossip blogs at the time went wild, but the couple kept it relatively classy in public.
Kim sought sole legal and physical custody of their two sons. That usually hints at some friction. However, despite the initial "race" to file, the divorce was finalized quietly in 2010.
Where is Kimberly Fey Now in 2026?
If you try to find her on TikTok or Instagram today, you’re going to have a hard time.
Kimberly Fey is a ghost in the best way possible. She successfully transitioned back into a private life. While Jenny McCarthy and Donnie are open books about their marriage, Kim has maintained a strict "no comment" policy on her personal life for over fifteen years.
She is reportedly working as a real estate agent.
It’s a smart move. She has the connections, but it keeps her away from the paparazzi. She’s focused on her kids, who are now grown men. Xavier is in his 30s, and Elijah is in his mid-20s.
Both boys have followed in the family’s creative footsteps to some degree—Xavier has explored the world of heavy metal music, while Elijah has been involved in his own musical projects. They’ve stayed out of the "nepo baby" drama for the most part, which says a lot about the parenting they received away from the cameras.
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Common Misconceptions About the Divorce
Wait, did she leave because of Jenny McCarthy?
Nope.
That’s the biggest rumor people still spread on Reddit threads. The timeline doesn't even come close. Donnie didn't even meet Jenny until 2012, four years after he and Kim split and two years after the divorce was final.
The reality is much more mundane.
Long-distance relationships are hard. Being married to a man who is suddenly back on the road with a boy band after years of being a "homebody" actor is even harder. People grow apart. It happens in the suburbs, and it happens in Hollywood.
What We Can Learn From Kim’s Approach
There’s a real lesson in how she handled the aftermath of a high-profile marriage.
- Privacy is a Choice: You don't have to sell your story to People magazine just because your ex is famous.
- Professional Identity: She went back to her own career. She didn't live off the "Wahlberg" name indefinitely.
- The Kids Come First: To this day, you won't find a single interview where she trashes Donnie.
Donnie has also been respectful. In various interviews, he’s credited his "first family" for helping him become the man he is today. They’ve managed a "successful" divorce, which is arguably harder than managing a successful marriage in the public eye.
If you’re looking for dirt, you won't find much. And honestly? That's probably the way Kimberly Fey wants it. She was the woman who saw the transition from teen idol to respected veteran, and then she quietly exited stage left to build a life on her own terms.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Verify the Timeline: If you see "cheating" rumors online, check the dates. The 2008 split and the 2012 meeting with McCarthy are four years apart.
- Support the Music: Check out Xavier and Elijah's independent musical projects to see how the next generation is carrying on the legacy without the "boy band" label.
- Follow Official Channels: For the most accurate current updates on the Wahlberg family, stick to Donnie's verified social media rather than speculative gossip sites.