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**Donnie Wahlberg Reflects on 11 Years of Marriage to Jenny McCarthy: Lessons, Love, and Lasting Commitment**
After more than a decade of marriage, Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy have become a shining example of how couples can grow together, learn from past mistakes, and prioritize each other in the face of life’s many challenges. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Wahlberg opened up about the journey he and McCarthy have taken, both as individuals and as a couple, providing insight into how they’ve built a strong, supportive partnership that continues to thrive.
**Learning From the Past: The Role of Therapy and Self-Reflection**
Wahlberg, best known for his roles in “Blue Bloods” and as a member of New Kids on the Block, didn’t shy away from discussing the difficulties of his past relationships and how those experiences set the stage for his marriage to McCarthy. Both Wahlberg and McCarthy were previously married—Wahlberg to Kimberly Fey, with whom he shares two sons, and McCarthy to John Asher, with whom she has a son named Evan.
Recognizing that their earlier marriages ended in divorce, both Wahlberg and McCarthy took a proactive approach when they began dating in 2013. They each engaged in individual therapy to better understand themselves and their patterns, and then chose to continue therapy together as a couple, even before tying the knot in 2014.
“Every new relationship brings on new challenges,” Wahlberg reflected. “Sometimes you don’t even know what activates you, what causes you to react to certain things, and brings out vulnerabilities in us.” He acknowledged that it’s often in the most intimate relationships that personal insecurities are exposed—things that may not arise in friendships or professional contexts. By facing these vulnerabilities head-on, Wahlberg and McCarthy set a foundation for open communication and mutual understanding.
**The Unique Challenges of Blended Families and Parenting**
Both Wahlberg and McCarthy entered their marriage with children from previous relationships, adding another layer of complexity. McCarthy’s earlier marriage to Asher had been tested by the challenges of parenting a child with autism. In a candid 2008 interview, McCarthy revealed that her son’s diagnosis put considerable strain on her relationship, leaving her feeling isolated and unsupported as she navigated the world of special needs parenting.
Wahlberg, too, experienced the difficulties of balancing parental responsibilities with marital needs in his first marriage. With these experiences in mind, the couple made a conscious decision to put their relationship first in their second attempt at marriage. “I think both of us put kids before our marriage in our first relationships, and we’re not going to make that mistake again,” Wahlberg said.
He likened this approach to the advice given on airplanes: in an emergency, you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. The message is clear—if the relationship between the partners is strong and healthy, they are better equipped to support their children and families. “It’s easy to put the kids before everything and forget your partner, and it’s understandable,” Wahlberg admitted. “But you have to put the relationship first.”
**Keeping the Spark Alive: The Importance of Date Nights and Small Gestures**
Wahlberg emphasized that sustaining a long-term relationship requires ongoing effort and intentionality, especially as routines settle in and daily life becomes more predictable. “Dates are fun!” he exclaimed, underscoring how easy it is for couples to become complacent over time. The early days of courtship are typically filled with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and surprise, but those habits can fade as the relationship matures.
He encouraged couples to keep fueling their relationship with the same energy and attention that characterized its beginning—asking questions, being curious, sending flowers, and making time for each other. “If we keep giving it that fuel and that energy, that love that we started with, then I think it really does keep the fire going,” Wahlberg explained.
**Trust and Understanding: Navigating Fame and Fan Attention**
One unique challenge faced by Wahlberg and McCarthy is the intense public attention that comes with celebrity status. As a member of New Kids on the Block, Wahlberg has a passionate fan base, many of whom are women. During his concerts