Maureen E. McPhilmy: What Really Happened to Bill O’Reilly’s Ex-Wife?

You may not see Maureen E. McPhilmy on TV or in magazines, but her name has been in the news for years. Why? Because she was once married to one of the most famous TV hosts in America — Bill O’Reilly. Their love story started quietly but ended in a very loud and public way.

Many people still wonder: What really happened to Maureen E. McPhilmy, Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife? Where is she now? Is she happy? Did she ever recover from the drama? In this article, we’ll walk you through her full story — from her early life and career to her marriage, divorce, and life today in 2026.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Maureen E. McPhilmy Quick Bio

Maureen E. McPhilmy’s Early Life and Family

Maureen Elizabeth McPhilmy was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, New York — a small, quiet town in the United States. She wasn’t famous or rich. Her father worked in a local market, and her mother was a gardener. When Maureen was just five years old, her parents got divorced. That was a big moment in her young life.

Even though her family had struggles, Maureen stayed strong. She grew up in a Catholic home and learned early on how to stay calm and focused. There’s not a lot of public info about her school years, but we know she went to St. Peter’s School and worked hard from a young age. Her early years shaped her into someone steady, quiet, and strong — traits that helped her later in life.

From Waitress to Public Relations Executive

Before the spotlight ever touched her, Maureen started her working life as a waitress. It was a simple job, but it gave her a strong work ethic. She didn’t stop there. She soon moved into something more professional — public relations.

As a public relations executive, Maureen’s job was to help people and companies manage how they looked to the public. She handled image, reputation, and messaging. This kind of job takes patience and calm — two things Maureen was very good at.

Even though she worked in PR, she never tried to be in the spotlight herself. She liked to keep her personal life private. But that changed when she met a man who was always on TV — Bill O’Reilly.

How Maureen E. McPhilmy Met Bill O’Reilly

Maureen met Bill O’Reilly in 1992. At that time, Bill was already working in television as a host. They crossed paths while working on a show called A Current Affair. He was the on-camera star, and she was the calm force behind the scenes in PR.

Their personalities were very different. He was loud and opinionated. She was soft-spoken and private. But somehow, it worked — at least in the beginning. They started dating, and over time, their relationship grew serious. Friends said they balanced each other out. After four years of dating, they got married.

Marriage to Bill O’Reilly, The Good Years

On November 2, 1996, Maureen and Bill tied the knot at St. Brigid’s Parish in Westbury, New York. It was a beautiful church wedding. For a while, it looked like a dream life. Bill was one of the biggest names on Fox News. Maureen was doing well in her career. They had a big home on Long Island and a perfect-looking family.

From the outside, everything looked good. But behind the scenes, things were not as happy. Over time, cracks started to show in the marriage. There were reports of tension and disagreements. But nothing was public yet.

Family Life and Their Two Children

Maureen and Bill had two children together. Their daughter, Madeline, was born in 1998, and their son, Spencer, was born in 2003. Maureen focused most of her time on being a good mom. She tried to give her kids a normal life, even though their dad was a very famous man.

As the marriage became more difficult, family life also became more stressful. Living in a house with fights and tension is hard — especially for kids. Later on, one of their children would tell the court about what they saw between their parents. That moment changed everything.

What Went Wrong in Their Marriage?

By 2008, things had gotten very bad between Maureen and Bill. The public didn’t know all the details, but behind closed doors, the relationship was falling apart. In 2010, they separated. By September 1, 2011, they were officially divorced.

But this wasn’t just a normal divorce. It became a long, painful, and public battle — especially over custody of the kids. On top of that, there were rumors of abuse and cheating. Around that time, Bill O’Reilly also started facing sexual harassment claims at work. Some people think that made things worse. Others believe their marriage was already broken before those reports.

No matter the cause, the divorce turned into a big media story — and Maureen found herself in the middle of it.

Abuse Allegations Against Bill O’Reilly

One of the most shocking parts of their divorce came during the custody hearings. Maureen said that Bill had been emotionally and physically abusive during the marriage. The most disturbing claim came from their daughter. She reportedly told a court-appointed expert that she saw her father drag Maureen down the stairs by the neck.

Bill strongly denied the claims. He called them “100% false.” But the court took the situation seriously. After a long review, the judge gave full custody of the children to Maureen. The court said she could provide a better and safer home.

It was a huge moment. After years of private stress, Maureen had finally won a major battle — not just in court, but in her life.

Life After Divorce, Maureen E. McPhilmy Finds Peace

After all the noise and drama, Maureen E. McPhilmy stepped away from the spotlight. She didn’t give interviews. She didn’t make public statements. Instead, she focused on what mattered most — her kids and her peace of mind.

She continued working in public relations but stayed out of the media. While people were still talking about the divorce, Maureen was healing in silence. She stayed calm, never lashed out, and took care of her children the best she could. Her quiet strength made many people admire her even more.

Over time, Maureen found something she had been missing for a while — peace. And eventually, she found love again too.

Maureen E. McPhilmy’s New Husband, Who Is Jeffrey Gross?

Maureen met Jeffrey Gross, a police detective in Nassau County, New York. He was also going through something hard. His first wife, Kathleen McBride, had passed away from cervical cancer in 2006. She was just 41 years old. Jeffrey was raising two children alone.

Maureen and Jeffrey connected through shared pain and a desire for a better life. They got married quietly and began building a new life together in Manhasset, New York. Their blended family — with Maureen’s two kids and Jeffrey’s two kids — brought them both joy and comfort.

Unlike her first marriage, this one stayed out of the headlines. It was peaceful, private, and full of support. After everything she had been through, Maureen finally found someone who made her feel safe.

Bill O’Reilly’s Post-Divorce Attacks

Even after the divorce was final, Bill O’Reilly didn’t let go. In 2016, he filed a $10 million lawsuit against Maureen. He claimed that she had started dating Jeffrey Gross before their marriage ended. He also accused her of using her divorce settlement to support the new relationship.

Most people saw this lawsuit as revenge. A friend of Maureen’s even said, “Bill just wanted to ruin her happiness.” But Maureen didn’t respond in public. She let her legal team handle it. Like always, she stayed calm.

It didn’t stop there. O’Reilly also tried to get the Catholic Church involved. He told church leaders Maureen should not receive Communion because she remarried. Some reports say Maureen was even reprimanded by her church for this. He also told their children her second marriage wasn’t valid “in the eyes of God.”

These actions caused more emotional stress. But again, Maureen stayed silent. She stayed focused on her family, her new life, and moving forward.

Where Is Maureen E. McPhilmy Now in 2026?

As of 2026, Maureen lives a quiet life in Manhasset, Long Island, with her husband Jeffrey and their blended family. She doesn’t post on social media. She doesn’t give interviews. There are almost no recent pictures of her online.

People still search her name and ask, “What happened to Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife?” The answer is simple: she’s living a peaceful, private life — far away from the noise.

She still works in public relations and spends most of her time with family. Friends say she’s happy, grounded, and very protective of her children. She’s not chasing fame. She’s just living her life quietly — and that’s exactly what she wants.

Final Thoughts

The story of Maureen E. McPhilmy, Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife, is not just about a messy divorce. It’s a story about strength, dignity, and starting over.

She faced emotional pain, public attacks, court battles, and religious shame. But she never crumbled. She stayed strong for her children, found new love, and built a better life on her own terms.

Maureen didn’t ask for attention. She didn’t fight back in public. Instead, she let her actions speak. Today, she’s known not just for being Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife — but for being a quiet survivor, a caring mother, and a woman who chose peace over power.

Her journey reminds us that no matter how loud the storm is, you can still find calm on the other side.

(FAQs)

How old is Maureen E. McPhilmy now?

She was born on May 11, 1966, so she is 60 years old in 2026.

Who is Maureen E. McPhilmy’s husband now?

She is now married to Jeffrey Gross, a kind police detective from New York.

Where does Maureen E. McPhilmy live today?

She lives a quiet life in Manhasset, New York, with her husband and kids. She stays far away from the spotlight.

Did Bill O’Reilly get angry about her new marriage?

He sued her for $10 million and even told the church not to let her take Communion. He was very upset.

Is Maureen E. McPhilmy still working now?

She still works in public relations, helping others with their image — but keeps her own life very private.

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