Phyllis Minkoff is best known as the first wife of TV host Maury Povich. Their marriage began before he became a national name and ended before his long-running talk show made him a household figure. Even with that public link, Phyllis keeps a very private life. Solid, confirmed facts about her are limited, so this article brings together what is shared and clearly notes what is not public.
Personl Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Phyllis Minkoff |
| Known for | First wife of TV host Maury Povich |
| Relationship to Maury Povich | Married 1962 to 1979 (divorced) |
| Children | Susan Anne Povich and Amy Joyce Povich |
| Occupation | Not widely public; she keeps a low profile (no primary public record confirming career details) |
| Public presence | Very private; few verified interviews or profiles |
| Notable in-laws | Dr. David B. Agus (married to Amy); Ralph Gorham (married to Susan) |
| Grandchildren | Reported via her daughters’ families; details kept private |
| Nationality | American (lives/lived in the U.S.) |
| Current status | Lives outside the spotlight; no official public pages |
Early years and privacy
Very little is publicly verified about Phyllis Minkoff’s early life, studies, or family background. Unlike many spouses of famous hosts, she has not maintained a media profile, and credible outlets do not provide confirmed details about her birth date or education. That is why careful sources focus on her family connections rather than personal biography.
Why so little info?
Much of what appears online about Phyllis comes from re-posted or unsourced bios. This article focuses on facts that are consistent across trusted references.
Marriage to Maury Povich
Phyllis married Maury Povich in 1962, years before he became nationally known. The couple divorced in 1979. Their marriage overlaps with Maury’s Washington, D.C. news career and the start of his rise on programs like Panorama. After the divorce, Maury later married journalist Connie Chung in 1984.
Children and family today
Phyllis and Maury had two daughters:
- Susan Anne Povich – Susan moved from law to food entrepreneurship. She co-founded Red Hook Lobster Pound in Brooklyn with her husband Ralph Gorham in 2008. The restaurant and trucks became well known for Maine-style lobster rolls and helped spark a wider lobster-roll moment in New York City.
- Amy Joyce Povich – Amy trained and worked as an actress and later married physician and author Dr. David B. Agus in 1994. They have two children. Dr. Agus is a well-known cancer specialist and professor.
Reliable features summarizing Maury Povich’s family confirm that Susan and Amy are his daughters from his first marriage with Phyllis Minkoff.
Work and career
Some internet profiles describe Phyllis as having worked in communications or public relations. However, primary, reputable sources do not publish detailed, verifiable records of her employers, job titles, or projects. Because of that, it’s best to treat those claims with care unless they are backed by a credible source.
If you see precise claims online like an exact birth date, parents’ names, or long client lists, check whether they link to an established outlet. Many do not and should be considered unconfirmed.
Life after divorce
There is no public record of Phyllis seeking media attention after 1979. Her daughters, by contrast, appear in trustworthy outlets due to their own careers and marriages. Susan is known through her restaurant business and Amy through her work and her husband’s public medical career. That contrast helps explain why we know more about the daughters than about Phyllis herself.
Why Phyllis still interests readers
People search for Phyllis because she is connected to a well-known host whose show shaped daytime TV. Understanding her role gives context to Maury’s early life and family, and it also shows how some family members choose privacy even when connected to fame.
Final notes on accuracy
For a figure as private as Phyllis Minkoff, quality matters more than quantity. The most reliable confirmations are her marriage to Maury, their two daughters, and the daughters’ own family lives and careers. Everything else remains largely private.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Who is Phyllis Minkoff?
She is the first wife of Maury Povich and the mother of his two daughters, Susan and Amy. She keeps a private life and rarely appears in the media.
2) When did Phyllis Minkoff and Maury Povich marry and divorce?
They married in 1962 and divorced in 1979.
3) How many children does she have?
Two: Susan Anne Povich and Amy Joyce Povich.
4) What does Susan Povich do?
She co-founded Red Hook Lobster Pound in Brooklyn with her husband, Ralph Gorham, growing it into a well-known seafood brand.
5) What does Amy Povich do?
Amy worked as an actress and is married to Dr. David B. Agus, a leading physician and author.
6) Is there verified information about Phyllis’s own career?
Not much from primary sources. Some sites say communications/PR, but solid outlets do not list detailed roles, so specifics remain unverified.
7) Is Phyllis active on social media?
No reliable, official social profiles are widely cited. She appears to keep offline and private.
8) How is Phyllis connected to well-known figures today?
Through family: her former husband Maury Povich, her son-in-law Dr. David B. Agus, and her daughter Susan’s public food business.
9) Where can I read verified facts about the family?
Good starting points include mainstream media features on Maury Povich and his family, as well as official business pages for Susan’s work.
10) Why do some websites list extra personal details about Phyllis?
Many pages repeat unsourced info. If details are not backed by named, credible outlets, they should be treated as uncertain.
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