When you think of Maury Povich, your mind probably goes straight to those dramatic DNA reveals. "You are not the father!" It's a phrase burned into the American psyche. But honestly, while Maury spent decades sorting out other people's family dramas, his own personal life has been remarkably stable—at least for the last forty years or so.
So, who was Maury Povich married to? If you’re looking for a quick answer, it’s a tale of two very different eras. Most people know his legendary marriage to news icon Connie Chung, but before the power couple became a household name, there was a first chapter with a woman named Phyllis Minkoff.
The First Chapter: Phyllis Minkoff (1962–1979)
Before he was the king of tabloid talk, Maury was a young reporter in Washington, D.C. It was during this early stretch of his career that he married Phyllis Minkoff in 1962. They were together for 17 years, which is a lifetime in the world of media and entertainment.
People don’t talk about this marriage much because it happened before Maury hit that stratosphere of national fame. During their time together, they had two daughters, Susan Anne and Amy Joyce. Susan eventually became a lawyer and successful restaurateur, while Amy married the well-known physician and author David Agus.
The marriage ended in divorce in 1979. It’s one of those things where they just grew apart as their lives changed. But you’ve gotta realize, without this period of his life, Maury might never have landed the job that led him to his second, and much more famous, wife.
The Connie Chung Era: A TV Power Couple for the Ages
Basically, the story of Maury and Connie is a classic "slow burn." They first met back in 1969 at WTTG-TV in D.C. At the time, Maury was the established star anchor, and Connie was just starting out as a copygirl.
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She has joked in interviews—including her 2024 memoir Connie—that he was kinda gruff back then. He wouldn't even look up when she handed him the wire copy! It wasn't exactly love at first sight. She actually left the station after a couple of years to pursue her own massive career, eventually becoming a correspondent for CBS.
They didn't reconnect in a romantic way until 1977 in Los Angeles. By then, the tables had turned. Connie was the big-shot anchor at the CBS affiliate, and Maury had just been fired from a gig. He often says she "pitied" him first, and the love grew from there. They finally tied the knot in 1984.
What’s the Secret to a 40-Plus Year Marriage?
In a 2025 interview on the Today show, Maury (now 86) reflected on how they’ve stayed together for over four decades. It's rare. Especially in an industry that eats relationships for breakfast.
One big factor? They both "get" the business. Maury has mentioned that having a spouse in the same profession provides a level of understanding that you just can't find elsewhere. They understand the weird hours, the public scrutiny, and the ego that comes with being on camera.
But they also have very different ways of handling conflict.
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- Maury’s Approach: He likes to "reset." If they have a fight at night, he wants to wake up the next morning with a clean slate.
- Connie’s Approach: She has admitted she "holds grudges." She's joked that she wakes up wanting to continue the argument from the night before!
Despite those differences—or maybe because of them—they seem genuinely happy. They live a relatively quiet life in Montana these days, far away from the chaotic studios of New York City.
Their Growing Family
While Maury had his two daughters from his first marriage, he and Connie wanted a child together. It wasn't an easy road. In the early 90s, Connie was under immense pressure as the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News alongside Dan Rather. She famously took a step back to focus on starting a family.
In 1995, they adopted their son, Matthew Jay Povich.
Matthew has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, which is understandable given who his parents are. But his arrival was a massive turning point for the couple, cementing a family unit that has remained tight-knit ever since.
Why This Marriage Still Matters to Fans
It’s sort of ironic. Maury made a living off of relationships falling apart. He spent his afternoons dealing with cheating, lies, and "who’s the daddy" mysteries. Yet, at home, he was half of one of the most enduring marriages in television history.
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In 2006, they even tried working together on a weekend news show for MSNBC called Weekends with Maury and Connie. It only lasted about six months. Honestly? It might have been for the best. Sometimes mixing business and pleasure 24/7 is the quickest way to a divorce lawyer's office, and they were smart enough to realize that their marriage was more important than a shared time slot.
Key Milestones in Maury Povich’s Marital History
- 1962: Marries Phyllis Minkoff.
- 1969: Meets Connie Chung for the first time (she’s a copygirl, he’s the anchor).
- 1979: Divorces Phyllis Minkoff.
- 1984: Marries Connie Chung.
- 1995: Adopts son Matthew Jay Povich.
- 2024-2026: Continues to celebrate over 40 years of marriage with Connie, frequently appearing on talk shows to discuss their "Sexy Sundays" and longevity secrets.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from Maury’s Longevity
If you're looking for a "happily ever after" like theirs, there are a few takeaways from the Povich-Chung playbook.
First, respect each other's space. Maury has often said they don't try to change one another. He's a "political buff" and a "history buff" who reads constantly—a side of him his TV audience never saw. She respects that intellectual side of him.
Second, don't take yourselves too seriously. Connie has noted that while they take their work seriously, they don't bring that "star" persona home. They’re just Maury and Connie.
Finally, learn to reset. Even if you're a "grudge holder" like Connie, find a way to move past the friction. Forty years doesn't happen by accident; it happens by choosing to stay every single morning.
If you want to dive deeper into their story, Connie Chung’s 2024 memoir Connie offers a really raw and funny look at their life behind the scenes. It’s well worth the read if you want to see the man behind the "Not the Father" memes.