The Divorce That Shocked the Media
Maureen McPhilmy, the former wife of television host Bill O'Reilly, ended their 14-year marriage in a highly publicized divorce finalized on September 1, 2011. The couple had married on November 2, 1996, after meeting four years earlier on the set of A Current Affair, where she worked in public relations and he served as host. The split quickly turned bitter, with McPhilmy alleging physical abuse. In a court statement published by The Hollywood Reporter, she claimed O'Reilly dragged her down the stairs by her throat, an incident their daughter Madeline, then 17, said she witnessed. A court-appointed forensic examiner confirmed the daughter's account in a closed hearing. O'Reilly denied the allegations, stating through his attorney: "All allegations against me in these circumstances are 100 per cent false." He added, "I am going to respect the court-mandated confidentiality put in place to protect my children and will not comment any further."
Allegations of Abuse and Infidelity
The custody battle over their two children, Madeline (born 1998) and Spencer (born 2003), dragged on for three years. In 2016, a New York appeals court granted sole custody to McPhilmy. Financial disputes also emerged. O'Reilly accused McPhilmy of making false representations in their divorce settlement and of infidelity during their marriage, seeking $10 million in damages. Court documents revealed allegations of cheating on both sides, with O'Reilly claiming McPhilmy had an affair with Nassau County police detective Jeffrey Gross while the divorce was pending.
A New Beginning with Jeffrey Gross
McPhilmy began dating Gross shortly after separating from O'Reilly in 2010, before the divorce was finalized. Gross, a Nassau County detective, had lost his first wife, Kathleen McBride, to cervical cancer in 2006, leaving him with two children. The couple married in 2012 and settled in Manhasset, New York, blending their families into a household of four children. O'Reilly reportedly reacted with anger and jealousy, even attempting to have McPhilmy removed from the Catholic Church. Despite the public feud, McPhilmy and Gross have maintained a low-profile life, with Gross continuing his work as a detective and McPhilmy working as a public relations executive.
Life After O'Reilly: Privacy and Blended Family
Today, McPhilmy, aged 60 (born May 11, 1966), keeps her personal and professional life out of the media. Her net worth remains unknown, as she has never disclosed her finances. She stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 165 pounds. Unlike her ex-husband, who has remained in the public eye, McPhilmy chose privacy, building a quiet life with Gross that has lasted over a decade.
Trivia and Background
- Born in Chittenango, New York, the birthplace of Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.
- Her parents divorced when she was five; her mother was a gardener and father worked at a local market.
- She started her career as a waitress before moving into public relations.
- There is a 17-year age gap between her and O'Reilly (O'Reilly born September 10, 1949).
- Her second marriage doubled her family: she and Gross raise four children together.
Maureen McPhilmy has weathered a painful divorce, a bruising custody fight, and a very public feud, then chose privacy over the spotlight. Her second marriage to Jeffrey Gross has lasted over a decade, largely out of view in New York.
