Phil Donahue, the legendary US talk show host, has passed
away at the age of 88. His family confirmed the news,
stating that Donahue died peacefully at home on Sunday after a long illness, surrounded by loved ones.
Widely regarded as the “king of daytime talk,” Donahue created and hosted
*The Phil Donahue Show*, a program that left an indelible mark on television history.
Over nearly three decades, Donahue hosted more than 6,000 episodes and interviewed some
of the most iconic figures of the time, including Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, and Dolly
Parton.Donahue’s media career began in the late 1950s, but it was in 1967 that he launched
his groundbreaking talk show. Originally based in Dayton, Ohio, the show moved to Chicago in
1974 and quickly gained popularity, especially after Donahue began incorporating audience
participation. This innovative format became a staple in daytime television.
