Maureen E. McPhilmy is an American public relations professional who became known to many people because of her marriage to famous TV host Bill O’Reilly. While her connection to O’Reilly brought her into the public eye, her own story shows strength and determination. Today, she lives a quiet life away from the media spotlight with her family in New York.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maureen Elizabeth McPhilmy |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1966 |
| Age | 58 years old (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Chittenango, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Profession | Public Relations Executive |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Father | Market Worker |
| Mother | Gardener |
| Education | St. Peter’s School, New York |
| Marital Status | Married |
| First Husband | Bill O’Reilly (m. 1996–2011) |
| Current Husband | Jeffrey Gross (Police Detective) |
| Children | Two (Madeline O’Reilly, Spencer O’Reilly) |
| Current Residence | Manhasset, New York, USA |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4-11 million |
| Famous For | Ex-wife of Bill O’Reilly, PR Executive |
Early Life and Background
Maureen Elizabeth McPhilmy was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, a small town in New York. She grew up in a working-class family where her father worked at a local market and her mother was a gardener. When Maureen was only five years old, her parents separated, which had a big impact on her childhood.
Despite the challenges she faced growing up, Maureen worked hard in school. She attended St. Peter’s School in New York and focused on her education. Her early life taught her the value of hard work and staying strong during difficult times. These lessons would help her later in life when she faced her own personal challenges.
Career in Public Relations
After finishing her education, Maureen started her working life as a waitress in a restaurant. However, she had bigger dreams. In 1992, she moved into the field of public relations, which became her main career path.
As a public relations executive, Maureen’s job was to help people and companies manage their public image. She worked with clients to create the right message for the public and handle their communication with the media. Her role required her to be professional, smart, and able to stay calm under pressure. People who worked with her respected her ability to handle sensitive situations with care and keep things private when needed.
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Meeting Bill O’Reilly
Maureen met Bill O’Reilly in 1992 while she was working in public relations. At that time, Bill was hosting a television show called “A Current Affair.” Their professional relationship soon turned into a personal one, and they started dating.
After several years together, Maureen and Bill got married on November 2, 1996. The wedding took place at St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, New York. More than 100 guests attended the ceremony, which was guided by Father Tom Jordan, a priest from Mexico City. The couple seemed happy at the start of their marriage.
Family Life
During their marriage, Maureen and Bill had two children together. Their daughter, Madeline, was born in 1998, and their son, Spencer, was born in 2003. Maureen dedicated herself to being a good mother and creating a loving home for her children.
However, behind closed doors, the marriage was facing serious problems. The couple separated in April 2010 after being together for 14 years. Their divorce was finalized in September 2011.
The Difficult Divorce
The divorce between Maureen and Bill O’Reilly became very public and painful. During the court proceedings, serious accusations came to light. Maureen claimed that Bill had physically hurt her during their marriage. She told the court that he once dragged her down the stairs by her throat. Their daughter Madeline supported her mother’s account when she spoke to a court-appointed examiner.
Bill O’Reilly denied all these accusations, calling them completely false. The case went to court, and both parents fought for custody of their children. The legal battle lasted for several years and received a lot of media attention.
In 2015, court documents became public, revealing the details of the domestic violence allegations. This brought even more attention to the case. Finally, in 2016, the court made its decision. Maureen was granted full residential custody of both children. The judge believed this was in the best interest of Madeline and Spencer.
More Legal Troubles
The problems did not end with the custody decision. In 2016, Bill O’Reilly filed a lawsuit against Maureen for 10 million dollars. He claimed that she had misled him about the terms of their divorce agreement. He also accused her of using the divorce money to support a relationship with another man.
That man was Jeffrey Gross, a detective with the Nassau County Police Department. Maureen had started dating Jeffrey after her separation from Bill. O’Reilly even tried to have an internal investigation launched against Jeffrey at the police department. However, the lawsuit was eventually dropped by the court because there was not enough evidence to support O’Reilly’s claims.
In another incident, Maureen was found in contempt of court in 2016 for not following a custody order. She was fined over 300,000 dollars for preventing Bill from spending time with their daughter when it was his scheduled time. Maureen filed an appeal against this decision.
A New Beginning
After her painful divorce, Maureen found happiness again with Jeffrey Gross. Jeffrey is a police detective in Nassau County, New York. He is a widower whose first wife, Kathleen McBride, died from cancer in 2006. Jeffrey has two teenage children from his previous marriage.
Maureen and Jeffrey got married and now live together in Manhasset, New York, in a comfortable home. They have created a blended family with all their children. The couple works hard to give their children a stable, loving environment away from media attention.
Life Today
Today, Maureen McPhilmy continues to work in public relations, though she keeps her professional life very private. She focuses on her family and stays away from the public spotlight as much as possible. Unlike her ex-husband, who remained a public figure for many years, Maureen prefers a quiet, normal life.
She is seen by many people as a strong woman who survived difficult times with dignity. Despite the public nature of her divorce and the legal battles, she managed to rebuild her life and focus on what matters most to her: her children and her new family.
Public Image
Over time, people’s view of Maureen has changed. She is no longer just known as Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife. Many people now respect her for her strength, independence, and ability to handle personal problems with grace. She chose to protect her children and move forward with her life rather than stay in the spotlight.
Her story reminds us that behind every public divorce are real people dealing with real pain. Maureen’s choice to live quietly and focus on her family shows her values and priorities. She has earned admiration for putting her children first and maintaining her dignity through difficult circumstances.
Conclusion
Maureen E. McPhilmy’s life story is about more than just her marriage to a famous TV host. It is a story of strength, survival, and starting over. From her working-class childhood in New York to her successful career in public relations, and through a difficult marriage and divorce, Maureen has shown remarkable resilience.
Today, she lives peacefully with her husband Jeffrey Gross and their blended family in New York. She continues to work in her field while keeping her personal life private. Her journey shows that it is possible to face hard times, overcome them, and build a happy life on your own terms. Maureen McPhilmy remains an example of quiet strength and determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Maureen E. McPhilmy? Maureen E. McPhilmy is an American public relations executive, best known as the ex-wife of TV host Bill O’Reilly.
2. How old is Maureen McPhilmy? She is 58 years old. She was born on May 11, 1966.
3. When did Maureen McPhilmy marry Bill O’Reilly? They got married on November 2, 1996, and divorced in September 2011.
4. How many children does Maureen have? She has two children with Bill O’Reilly: a daughter named Madeline (born 1998) and a son named Spencer (born 2003).
5. Who is Maureen McPhilmy married to now? She is currently married to Jeffrey Gross, a detective with the Nassau County Police Department in New York.
6. What does Maureen McPhilmy do for work? She works as a public relations executive, helping people and companies manage their public image.
7. Why did Maureen and Bill O’Reilly divorce? The divorce happened due to serious problems in their marriage, including allegations of domestic violence that Maureen made against Bill.
8. Who got custody of the children? Maureen was granted full residential custody of both children in 2016 after a long legal battle.
9. Where does Maureen McPhilmy live now? She lives in Manhasset, New York, with her husband Jeffrey Gross and their blended family.
10. What is Maureen McPhilmy’s net worth? While exact figures are not confirmed, various sources estimate her net worth to be between 4 and 11 million dollars from her career and divorce settlement.
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