If you’ve turned on the telly recently or scrolled through some news sites, you’ve likely come across the name Maury Povich. Apparently, the media is in love with 20th-century talk show history right now. But while everyone has been talking about the man who pretty much invented a career out of paternity tests, many people have begun to wonder: What happened to the woman who was there before the cameras started rolling? Phyllis Minkoff.
It is now mid-February 2026, and, to be honest, the Phyllis obsession has escalated considerably. Why? This trend is due to a significant shift in our perception of the “partners” of celebrities. We’re tired of the loud, flashy headlines. We want the real story. And Phyllis? Well, she’s the definition of a class act who’s lived a life of real substance away from the glaring lights of a television studio.
The Silent Powerhouse of the D.C. Scene
Look, calling Phyllis just “the first wife” is a bit of a slap in the face. It’s lazy. Phyllis wasn’t just a homebody; she was born in Washington, D.C. She’s one of the highly educated women who has certainly devoted some time to serious public relations and communications.
When she wed Maury back in 1962, they were the “it” couple of the Washington media world. Maury was this young, ambitious journalist at WTTG, and Phyllis was there as he rose through the ranks. They remained together for 17 years. Pause for a moment and let that sink in. That’s almost 20 years of building a life, a name, and a family before the world even knew what one really was as a “talk show host.”
By the time they called it a day in 1979, the framework was already set. They had two daughters—Susan and Amy—who, quite frankly, have gone on to do some pretty incredible things themselves.
Children
Susan Povich: From Law to Lobsters
Susan is a real force of nature. It wasn’t just that she followed the family trajectory into media: she initially began as a high-flying lawyer. I mean, it’s a Harvard Law degree and life in tech and music law. But, as she has said in many interviews, the “culinary calling” was never far behind.
The crazy thing is how she did a 180. In 2009, she and her husband, Ralph Gorham, started Red Hook Lobster Pound. They began with a tiny storefront in Brooklyn, bringing live lobsters down from Maine themselves. Skip ahead to 2026, and she’s a hospitality mogul.
- The Hustle: She left law offices behind to sell lobster rolls under a tent at the Brooklyn Flea.
- The Growth: Her business survived Hurricane Sandy and the pandemic, and by early 2026 there are major rumours about her going global with the brand.
- The Vibe: She’s hard-charging and scrappy—that classic Maine-meets-Brooklyn ethos.
Amy Povich: The Artistic Soul
As Susan was taking over the food world, Amy Povich went down a different path. She is an actress who has maintained a lower profile than her sister but who is deeply enmeshed in the social and philanthropic scenes of Los Angeles and New York.
- The Career: Amy has taken on several acting roles throughout the years, but family and charity work often take precedence.
- The Power Couple: She is married to Dr. David Agus, possibly the most famous doctor in America at this present time. He’s a CBS News contributor and a massive name in cancer research.
- The Influence: You’ll catch her at most of the high-profile galas, including “Rebels With A Cause.” In the health-conscious climate that is 2026, she’s basically one-half of a medical and media royalty duo.
Why the 2026 Buzz?
So, why is a woman who values her privacy suddenly the talk of the town? It’s not just one thing; it’s a whole collection of events that have put her back in the frame.
- The Documentary Wave: There are a couple of major “History of Talk TV” documentaries doing the rounds on streaming platforms right now. They’ve gone back to the early days in Washington, showing footage of Maury before he was Maury. Naturally, people started digging into who was by his side back then.
- The Susan Povich Expansion: If you’ve ever had a lobster roll from Red Hook Lobster Pound, you’ve got Phyllis to thank in a roundabout way. Her daughter, Susan Povich, is a total force of nature. In early 2026, Susan announced she’s taking the brand international, with eyes on London. When a business takes off like that, people always look at the pedigree.
- The Dr. David Agus Connection: Phyllis’s other daughter, Amy, is married to Dr. David Agus. He’s basically the rockstar of the medical world. With everyone currently obsessed with longevity and “bio-hacking” in 2026, the Povich-Minkoff family tree is often used as a case study in high-performance living.
A Life Lived on Her Own Terms
The thing that I find the most fascinating about Phyllis Minkoff is how her life worked out after the divorce. She could have written a book. She might have done the talk show circuit herself. But she didn’t.
Instead she remarried Phillip Hobson, a well-respected guy in the D.C. community, and just… went on with it. She remained involved in local philanthropy and held her family close. There’s a whole lot to be said for that kind of dignity. In an era when everyone is vying for attention on social media, Phyllis stands as a reminder that you don’t need a million followers to make a huge impact.
“Phyllis was always the anchor. While the media world was going mad, she kept things steady for her girls.” — A former colleague from her PR days.
Also read:The Real Story of Damon Darling’s Net Worth in 2026
Where is Phyllis in February 2026?
As we sit here in the middle of February, Phyllis is still very much a fixture of the D.C. area. She’s mostly retired now, but “retired” for a woman like her doesn’t mean sitting around doing nothing. She’s heavily involved with her grandkids and still supports various community initiatives.
She’s the kind of person who shows up at the restaurant openings and the charity galas but stays in the background, letting her family take the lead. It’s a bit of a masterclass in how to handle legacy.
The Povich-Minkoff Fast Facts
| The Detail | What You Need to Know |
| Hometown | Washington, D.C. (She’s a local through and through) |
| Career Path | Public Relations and Academic Communications |
| Family Ties | Mother to Susan Povich and Amy Povich |
| Marriage | Maury Povich (1962–1979); Phillip Hobson |
| 2026 Focus | Philanthropy and supporting the family’s global business moves |
A Quiet Legacy in a Loud World
It’s funny, isn’t it? We so often fixate on the people we see onscreen that we forget who helped them get there. Phyllis Minkoff would never have invited this wave of interest in 2026. She didn’t retain a PR firm to shove her name back into the papers.
But perhaps that’s why we find it so fascinating.
It’s funny, isn’t it? We spend so much time obsessed with the people on the screen that we forget about the people who helped them get there. Phyllis Minkoff didn’t ask for this 2026 resurgence of interest. She didn’t hire a PR firm to get her name back in the papers.
But maybe that’s why we’re so interested. In a year when everything seems part-manufactured and part-AI-generated,” there is something intensely refreshing about an actual person who lived an actual life, made some actual decisions, and stayed true to herself the whole way through.
Anyway, that’s the deal with Phyllis. She’s more than just a footnote in a TV host’s biography. She’s the woman who helped build the foundation for a family that’s still shaping culture today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phyllis Minkoff still friends with Maury?
By all accounts, they’ve stayed on good terms. You don’t raise two successful daughters and several grandkids without learning how to play nice. It’s all very civil.
What did she do after the divorce?
She continued her work in public relations and married Phillip Hobson. She’s been a staple of the D.C. social and philanthropic scene for decades.
Does she have an Instagram?
Not that I can find! And honestly, that’s probably why she’s so well-respected. She doesn’t need the validation of a “like” button.
Is she involved in Susan Povich’s lobster business?
While she might not be cracking the claws herself, she’s famously supportive of her daughters’ ventures. You’ll often see her at major milestones for the business.
So, what do you think? Is it better to be the one in the spotlight or the one making sure the lights actually stay on? I know which one I’d pick.
Sources and References
- Family Genealogy & Early Life: For a detailed look at the roots of the family tree and the history of the name, see the Story of the Povich Family and the archival Donald M. Povich Collection hosted by the University of Southern Maine.
- Marriage and Media Career: Historical records of the marriage between Phyllis Minkoff and Maury Povich, as well as his early broadcasting days at WTTG, are documented in the Maury Povich Biography on Wikipedia.
- The Culinary Empire: Susan Povich’s transition from a high-profile legal career to hospitality is chronicled in the About Us section of Red Hook Lobster Pound and her professional profile at the New York Restaurant Show.
- Health and Philanthropy: Details regarding Amy Povich’s role in medical philanthropy and her marriage to Dr David Agus are available via the biography of David Agus on Wikipedia and various Getty Images gala coverage of the Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine.
- Cultural Context: For more on the Jewish heritage that shaped the family’s values, refer to the History of the Jews in Maine and the memoirs regarding Beth Israel History.
