After 40 Years, Dr. Phil’s Wife Gets A Big Surprise On His Show

Dr. Phil gained celebrity status after being discovered in the most unusual way. His wife, Robin, was right there by his side the first time he appeared on TV, and made it her life’s mission to surprise her husband.

Dr. Phil gained celebrity status after being discovered in the most unusual way. His wife, Robin, was right there by his side the first time he appeared on TV, and made it her life’s mission to surprise her husband.

Robin and Phil were not always the picture perfect couple they seem to be today. As a matter of fact, Robin is not the only woman who ever married Phil. McGraw first wife, Debbie Higgins McCall, was the first woman who stood at the altar and said “I do” to the man who told so many others his famous catch phrase – “get real.” But unlike the surprise he had carefully planned out for Robin, his first walk down the aisle went a bit differently.

Debbie was an ex-cheerleader and homecoming queen, who met Dr. Phil back in 1970 when he was only 20-years-old. The two hit it off from the start – but then something felt off. Years after the two decided to go their separate ways, Debbie released a statement to the press claiming the renowned psychologist was domineering and had unrealistic expectations of what a wife should look and act like. According to Debbie, Phil forced her to lift weights so that she would maintain her model measurement fitting bustline.

During Phil and Debbie’s annulment process in 1973, Dr. Phil began seeing Robin Jo Jameson. But when they met, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. In fact, Robin was actually friends with Phil’s sister, Brenda. She invited Robin round to stay for the night and apparently, Brenda said, “you’re going to have to be really quiet because my brother’s in the next room, and he’s very, very sick.” But their first encounter was certainly an interesting one…

Robin reminisced about the first time she laid eyes on Phil. She was on her way to the bathroom when, like a bolt from the blue, Phil appeared out of nowhere. “I see this big man coming down the hall, and I’m thinking, ‘Whoa, he’s big!'” It was certainly an awkward situation. Imagine staying at your friend’s house, and all of a sudden, you see this huge specimen of a human being walking towards you. But Phil saw things differently…

Phil had fond memories of the first time he met Robin. “The first time I saw her she had on baggy shorts and a T-shirt,” he said. While Robin was undeniably startled by the sheer presence of this huge man, Phil failed to see the situation the way she did. On the contrary, he thought she looked great. “Looked like a million bucks to me,” he said. Phil on the other hand, didn’t look so good, according to Robin.

“You could tell he’d been in bed sick,” Robin said. “He had a lot more hair, and it was messed up. He comes into the room and he goes, ‘Well, who are you?’ I thought, ‘Well, that’s kind of rude,’ and I said, ‘Well, who are you?’ And he goes, ‘Well, I’m Phil.'” It was a pretty awkward way to start a conversation. But gradually, the pair got more comfortable and this was just the start of something special…

Phil and Robin got so close and so fast. And Robin was having serious thoughts about where their relationship could go. So she brought up the idea of marriage to Phil. However, the future doctor was apprehensive about the idea. “You know? I just can’t do it,” she recalled him saying. “I have a goal. I want to get out of school, and I want to know I can take care of you. I can’t marry you now.”

Naturally, Robin was angry with Phil’s thoughts on the matter and decided to kick him to curb. But then a few months later, Robin had a genius idea. At Christmas, she called Phil’s family, asking them to tell him to call her back. But when he did, Robin’s friend answered the phone and told him that she was out on a date. So Phil fought his way back into Robin’s arms and the couple ended up getting engaged the following Valentine’s Day.

The two tied the knot six months later, and by the time 1979 rolled around, Robin was pregnant with their first child – Jay. Come 1986, Robin gave birth to their second child, Jordan. Robin and Phil have plenty to be thankful for in their lives, but Dr. Phil knows there is nothing his wife cherishes more than her family. However, few know Dr. Phil is exactly the same way.

In fact, Dr. Phil is so close to his family, he was chosen to be his oldest son’s best man. Jay McGraw announced his engagement to Erica Dahm, one of the well-known Playboy Playmate triplets and by the time wedding bells came around, his dad was right there by his side. The wedding was held in their home home in Beverly Hills. This all goes to show that if anything, Dr. Phil loves being in charge. His wife Robin, on the other hand, loves nothing more than to surprise her over calculating husband.

But after being married for 39 years, it was time for tables to turn. Robin, who always attends the tapings of his shows to support her husband and even adds little comments that spice up the show a bit, was long overdue for a surprise that would leave her speechless. As Dr. Phil fans know, the woman who salvaged the heart of the man who helped others for a living had a cheeky side – one she put to good use by keeping her husband always at suspense.

Robin had no idea what was happening. Dr. Phil stood up in front of his live audience, stared them blankly without giving anything away when suddenly, he started to speak. “My wife, Robin, is always the one who surprises me, but today, I’m finally getting her!” He exclaimed, then turned to face his shocked wife. Robin looked completely perplexed when the camera turned to her in order to capture the moment the prankster would finally become the prankee.

For their 39th anniversary, Robin had something special in store for hubby Phil. He was completely unaware of the surprise she was planning for him, one she successfully pulled under his nose. As the clock reached midnight, she came up to McGraw and said excitedly – “It’s twelve o’clock, I have something I need to show you!” She then brought her computer and quickly opened her Facebook profile page. He stood there with a bewildered look as she played a video she prepared ahead of time.

When she was asked when she came up with the idea, Robin replied: “I actually thought of this about nine days ago.” The big surprise she threw Phil was a video she herself composed, which consisted of Robin painting a huge square canvas with shades of red, drawing hearts and writing sweet words to her hubby. “She has always been the queen of creative,” said proud husband Dr. Phil, “she created our home, she created our family, and she’s done it all from love.”

Robin is a true romantic, and she always has been. In fact, that trait is one of the many things the famous doctor loves most about his wife. In the surprise video she made her husband for their anniversary, Robin is filmed wearing the very same veil she wore 39 years ago – on the eve of their wedding day. Everything was considered in detail, including the song that played around in the background while Robin painted. The song she chose made her husband nearly shed tears.

The song she chose, “Thinking Out Loud,” was performed by the up and coming, hit-after-hit releasing singer Ed Sheeran. The reason behind her choice was in the lyrics – the line “baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23” reminded her that she too had met her husband when she was only 23-years-old. Since that memorable year that brought the man who would later become her husband into her life, Robin was interviewed several times about her relationship with the doctor and how they’ve kept it going.

Robin wasn’t always the bubbly persona she is today. It is surprising she turned out to be the way she is, considering she grew up in an abusive home. In an interview she gave to New You magazine, she elaborated on what it was like growing up with an alcoholic father: “I lived in uncertainty every day because of it and didn’t like the feeling. I made decisions early on that I was going to do everything I could to be in control of myself and my life.”

Since those years she spent in her parents’ home and learned to cope with the tough reality that came knocking on her door every day, Robin decided that instead of dwelling the past, it would be best to learn from her father’s mistakes and have a more positive outlook on life. She explained that the horrible experience “taught me compassion and how to have a more accepting and loving spirit” – a lesson that affects her marriage directly to this day.

Robin made it clear from the start that she only has two rules when it comes to her marriage. While a lot of people may think those rules are odd and unnatural, they seem to work for the couple who have certainly been through plenty over the past few decades. After she was asked to reveal what the secret to her successful marriage is, she decided to open up about what it is that keeps the spark going, even after so many years side by side.

The mother of two admitted that while most people believe it is healthy to fight and let off steam every once in a while, she told Dr. Phil from the very start that was not the type of relationship she was looking for. She told New You that “people cannot understand when we say we don’t fight. They go ‘that’s just not natural, you’re lying! Couples fight.’ … But we don’t.” The big question now was how the two refrain from lashing out at each other.

“We don’t fight and it’s because we had a conversation early on and I told him that it’s not natural for me to be in a house where people are screaming and yelling – my parents didn’t do it, I don’t do it and I don’t want to live in a house like that,” said Robin with a smile on her face, as though she’s proud of this unique trait in her long lasting relationship. “He got it and has never raised his voice around me. We don’t fight.”

Not fighting is Robin’s first rule when it comes to maintaining a healthy marriage. Her second rule, however, has more to do with making that relationship into a loving, caring one that is supportive of one another, thus keeping the romance alive. She has different tricks up her sleeve when it comes to pampering the man she loves, some she kept to herself, but others she was willing to reveal, such as the way she speaks to the notable Dr. Phil.

״Always flirt!״ said Robin coyly, seeming delighted to have handed out this useful piece of information she has acquired over the years. “A piece of advice I’d tell women: learn what your husband considers flirting and learn what makes your husband happy.״ This is not the first time Robin has spoken about making her husband her top priority. In fact, when her friends heard what she told her husband on the day their first child was born, they could not hide the bewildered look on their face.

When Robin gave birth to her first son in 1979, she sat her husband down, looked him in the eye and stated that no matter what or who came into their lives, even with a child in the house, Phil would take first place. When she was asked why she felt it necessary to say those things, she replied: “From that moment on, he could say to himself, ‘Oh good, I’m not going to be in second place. She’s not going to forget about our relationship.'”

In addition to being Dr. Phil’s wife and mother of two, Robin is also a business woman. However, she felt it was important to stress that despite everything that goes on, she makes sure to balance all aspects of her life by turning to her husband and asking what he needs from her, instead of juggling multiple things aimlessly. In her interview, she said she often turns to McGraw and says, “what can I do for you? Tell me what you need from me. … I’ll do it.”

Robin also stated it is important for a wife to check up with her husband on a “regular basis,” to keep him in the loop and let him know he is never unacknowledged: “Phillip always needs to know I’m proud of him and he loves to hear that I appreciate him.” However, when Robin stood at the altar and said her vows, she never imagined that her marriage would be under attack due to her husband’s profession and in 2016, Robin had enough of the lies spread by the media.

McGraw was used to constantly being judged by others and criticized by the media since his job as a psychologist/host of the TV show Dr. Phil made him an easy target. His thick accent and head-first approach when tackling sensitive issues were often frowned upon, meaning the man was not short on enemies. In July 2016, Robin and Phil wanted to send out a message to all those who sought personal vendetta against them, so they filed a $250 million lawsuit against one tabloid magazine.

The McGraws have certainly been through ups and downs in their relationship, but it’s little surprises like these that make them realize that no matter what, they will always be by the other’s side. When Dr. Phil and Robin announced they sued the National Enquirer for publishing “lies” about their relationship for over 13 years, many other tabloids understood this was one couple not to be messed with. Perhaps that is why only a few months after the announcement, the tables turned.

The National Enquirer lawyers spread the word to its daughter company, Buzzfeed, announcing the McGraws dropped their lawsuit. The following statement was released: “The lawsuit has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all the parties. The parties have agreed to make no further comment about the lawsuit or its resolution.” Before the whole issue was settled, Dr. Phil contacted the Daily Mail and asked the magazine to publish his statement, saying: “Enough is enough, it’s time for them to own up.”

Dr. Phil is as protective of his wife as she is of him, as was evident during the whole McGraw versus National Enquirer case. If there is anything he will not stand for is having someone badmouth his family. He was quoted by the Daily Mail saying: “As a member of the media, I have a deep respect for the First Amendment. But it does not protect these people who knowingly print lies for money, particularly lies about my wife.”

Unfortunately, this was not the first or last time Robin was bad-mouthed by the media. Unlike the time lies were spread about her marriage, this time Robin’s name was dropped in an ad concerning skin care products, despite never signing off and giving her approval to use her name. Since Robin is widely well liked, the positive connotation associated with her name was taken advantage of to sell products she had never heard of. In fact, she only found out about this scheme when she received angry letters.

“We’re chasing these people, and we’re not going to stop until we find them,” said Dr. Phil on his show, vowing to make everything right. “To hear that there are people out there using our marriage and my name and image to sell lotion and creams that I have absolutely nothing to do with really drives me crazy.” The use of Robin’s name was not accidental either, considering she herself has her own revelation lifestyle brand that she launched back in 2014.

Robin hasn’t had an easy life, but not all the obstacles she faced had to do with her hubby. Robin’s sister, Cindi Broaddus, appeared on Dr. Phil in 2005 and opened up about being the victim of a criminal act. One day she was sitting in her car when a person randomly decided to throw a vat of sulfuric acid all over an overpass, she was driving under with her friend while in Oklahoma. After the acid infiltrated her windshield, it got on her face and burned it severely.

Doctors gave Cindi only a 30 percent chance of survival, but despite the fact the odds were not in her favor, she survived and came back stronger than ever. Dr. Phil himself called her a “true hero” while Larry King was interviewing him in 2005. He went on, praising his sister-in-law for being so incredibly brave: “It doesn’t surprise me that she has handled this horrible tragedy like she has because she’s always been there for everyone else.”

The TV personality is known for pulling a tough love act, but when it comes to his beloved wife Robin, no one is a bigger softie. For his 40th anniversary with Robin, Dr. Phil turned to Twitter and posted a few video clips commemorating their marital milestone. He added the following caption: “40 loving years and counting with the same sweet girl I met at 19!! Here’s to 40 more. I love you, Phillip.” The video clips featured a montage of family photos and moving music in the background.

The psychologist who has had his successful show since 2002 recalled the first time he saw her – “She had on baggy shorts, and a T-shirt and [her] hair was sticking up everywhere – and she looked like a million bucks to me.” He went on to explain he knew Robin was The One when he realized how deeply he respected and admired her. These days, the both of them are “more than a team,” said Phil, adding that “When she cuts her finger, I bleed red; when she rejoices, my heart jumps.”

Valentine’s Day came along, and the Dr. Phil McGraw decided it was time for him to give back to his beautiful wife of nearly four decades. “I’m finally getting her!” he announced proudly, as he turned to look at his shocked wife. The entire audience cheered as Phil had to coerce Robin to come from behind the stage and join him up front. He faced his loving wife and said something she has been waiting to hear for a long time.

“So, as my Valentine’s Day gift to her, I talked to her number one favorite artist and band of all time,” said Dr. Phil to the excited audience. His wife, Robin, could not contain her excitement as she screamed continuously and mumbled: “I can’t believe it, I’m in shock.” Dr. Phil could not stop an overly pleased smile from sneaking onto his face. Robin, on the other hand, appeared to have trouble keeping herself together, so she leaned on her husband for support.

For a second, it seemed as though Robin was about to pass out. Phil held onto her tightly, as if to reassure that this was actually happening – that the moment she waited years for was finally here. Robin looked stunned at the audience who cheered her on, but it was hard to get a word out of her that did not consist of a high-pitched squeak. Dr. Phil waited for the cue from his show’s producers, and when he finally received it, he went on with his major announcement.

“I talked to her number one favorite artist and band of all time to make an impromptu appearance today, just for her. So without further ado, after ten years of asking, let me introduce the hottest band tearing up the charts from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia,” declared Dr. Phil in his one of a kind manner. He paused dramatically to look at the audience and his wife – although the latter already figured out who her husband was coyly referring to…

“Let me introduce … our son Jordan and his band Hundred Handed, said Dr. Phil eagerly, with an apparent proud glance over at his wife who was already in tears by then. She had asked her husband to let her son on his show for a decade, but for reasons that remain unknown and within the family, the show’s producers decided against it. But this significant Valentine’s Day, it was time for a change. Dr. Phil knew family means everything to Robin – but that wasn’t all.

The band performed one of their new singles, which a significant milestone for them as it was. But what made their appearance on stage even more exciting was the fact that someone else accompanied the band on stage – someone the media has been following for quite a while on account of being a star on the rise. Indeed, not only did Dr. Phil’s son come on stage and surprise his mother on this special occasion – but she had another surprise coming.

Alongside the band, Jordan’s girlfriend, Marissa Jack also joined the stage. A rising star from Phoenix, Arizona, this talented singer spent most of her teenage years writing songs. By the time she turned 18, Marissa had moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of becoming a big name in the music industry. She collaborated with well-known producers, which landed her a record deal with Warner Brothers Records in 2010. Two years later she reinvented herself and her sound and that is when she met her boyfriend, Jordan McGraw.

Jordan and his girlfriend Marissa sang beautifully as pictures of Robin projected on the screen in the background withromantic lighting circling the images and creating a magical atmosphere on stage. When the band finished performing, Dr. Phil seemed over the moon with the thought of surprising his wife and granting his son the stage he deserves.”Did we get her or did we get her? I think we got her!” called Phil, and announced everybody in the audience is getting a copy of the band’s album.

Yes, Robin had a knack for showing her foolish side, pranking the man who was ranked the 15th highest earning celebrity in the world. As it turns out, all the fame and fortune has not affected Dr. Phil’s silly side or made him forget to have fun. While his wife makes an effort to stun him every now and again, she always does so in a classy manner. However, this time Dr. Phil had finally had enough.

It was very much a case of “one thing leads to another.” All it took was one awkward conversation and then the pair couldn’t stay away from each other. “So, I told him who I was, and we sat down, and we visited there in the family room for a couple of hours,” she said. “He asked me out for the next night, and we’ve been together ever since.” And just like that, Robin and Phil started dating.