Donnie Wahlberg
Jade Small
Jade Small
December 22, 2023 ·  4 min read

Donnie Wahlberg stepped up to be the “Dad” to his autistic step-son whose father left him after diagnosis

American singer, actor, and producer Donnie Wahlberg was given a second chance, both in life and in love. And, by the looks of it, he seems to be enjoying every second of it. Who wouldn’t when you’ll have a great job, a loving wife, and children who adore you?

However, like most of us, he had to face a lot of ups and downs before getting to where he is now. Donnie Wahlberg’s name might sound very familiar. That’s because he is the brother of one of Hollywood’s top actors, Mark Wahlberg. Even though Donnie isn’t as famous as his brother (sorry Donnie), he has managed to create a very successful career in Hollywood. As both an actor and musician in the industry. 

Donnie Wahlberg didn’t always have this perfect life

He endured some heartbreak and even a divorce from Kim Fey, the mother of his two biological children, Xavier and Elijah. Kim and Donnie were married after five years of knowing one another, but unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last. They filed for divorce in 2008, both of them citing irreconcilable differences. 

Kim Fey, the mother of his children, has primary custody while Donnie retains his visitation rights. It has been reported that the pair are on good terms with one another. And, they have perfected the art of co-parenting their two children. 

Finding the one

Donnie stayed single for years after the divorce with Kim Fey. Up until he met television personality and actress, Jenny McCarthy. According to close sources, it took both Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny heartbreak and many years to find one another. But once they did, they knew they had found the one. Donnie and Jenny have been happily married for over 8 years now. 

Jenny also had her fair share of heartbreak before she found Donnie. Before marrying Donnie, Jenny was married to director John Asher whom she had met on the set of the movie “Diamonds” in 1999. Jenny and John married soon after meeting and shortly after tying the knot they welcomed their son Evan Asher. 

John and Jenny were married for 6 years before getting divorced. Jenny McCarthy filed for divorce in 2005 citing irreconcilable differences and goes into detail about the decline of her marriage to John in her book, “Louder than Words: A mothers Journey in Healing Autism.

Jenny filed for divorce in the same year that her son Evan was diagnosed with autism. Even though the diagnosis shocked her, it never changed the way she felt about her son. She was even more determined to make sure he had the best life possible. 

Unfortunately, Evans’ diagnosis started to impact Jenny and John’s marriage. “John was starting to get angry at me because he felt ignored. The only fantasies I wanted to imagine were Evan being able to say, ‘I love you, mommy.’ I didn’t care if I never had sex again.” Said Jenny. Jenny and John came to a mutual agreement that John should be got one who leaves the family home as Jenny stayed with Evan managing his care and medical bills independently.

Jenny also dated actor and comedian Jim Carrey between 2005 and 2010.

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A post shared by Evan Asher (@evanjasher)

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Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy

When Donnie and Jenny met in 2012 they already had a lot in common, they had both married in the year 1999 for the very first time and both had children from their previous marriages. Donnie explains how he was absolutely smitten with her from the very first meeting, however, it wasn’t until a year later that he met her again on her television show, “Jenny McCarthy Show,” that he decided to take the leap of faith and ask her out. 

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A post shared by DONNIE WAHLBERG (@donniewahlberg)

After having spent a couple of years dating, Donnie finally decided to pop the question. He even got Evan, her son in on the proposal. Donnie loved Evan the moment he knew he loved Jenny. Evan is delighted to have another dad who accepts him and loves him. This past May Donnie posted a shout-out to his stepson on his 20th birthday.

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A post shared by DONNIE WAHLBERG (@donniewahlberg)

Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny share a remarkably close bond with one another and love and support each other’s children as their own. When asked if they will have children of their own, the answer was no they are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying their golden years together. 

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Sources

  1. Donnie Wahlberg and wife Kim Fey finalize divorce after nearly nine years of marriage.Daily News. October 4, 2010
  2. Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg’s Relationship Timeline.US Magazine. October 2, 2021