Maureen E. McPhilmy: The Untold Story of Bill O’Reilly’s Ex-Wife

Maureen E. McPhilmy may not be a Hollywood star or a public figure, but her name became well-known across the United States. Why? Because of her very public and dramatic divorce from Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. For years, their story made headlines — not just because they split up, but because of the serious claims, court fights, and shocking drama that followed.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Maureen E. McPhilmy — her early life, her career, her marriage to O’Reilly, and what happened during and after their divorce. We’ll also talk about her new life with a man named Jeffrey Gross and where she is today in 2025.

Maureen E. McPhilmy Quick Bio

Maureen E. McPhilmy’s Early Life

Maureen E. McPhilmy was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, New York, a small town in the United States. She grew up in a regular family with her mom and dad. Her father worked in a local market, and her mother was a gardener. But when Maureen was just five years old, her parents got divorced.

Even though her early family life was not perfect, Maureen found a way to stay strong. She didn’t grow up in the spotlight. She was just a regular girl from a small town — the kind of person you’d never expect to be in the middle of a huge media storm years later.

Not much is known about her education, but it’s clear that she worked hard and eventually found her place in the working world.

Maureen E. McPhilmy’s Career as a PR Expert

Before her life became tied to the media, Maureen E. McPhilmy worked as a waitress. But she didn’t stay in that role for long. She later became a public relations executive, which means she helped manage how people or companies are seen by the public.

Her job was to handle communication, image, and reputation — a role that can be very demanding. In PR, you must always stay calm and professional, especially when working with high-profile clients. And as we would see later in her own life, those skills probably helped her during some very difficult times.

Even though she worked in PR, Maureen herself liked to keep things quiet. She never tried to become famous or chase attention. But that changed when she met a man who was already very well known.

How Maureen Met Bill O’Reilly

Maureen met Bill O’Reilly in 1992. At that time, he was already working in television as a news host. They met while working on the show A Current Affair — O’Reilly was hosting the show, and Maureen was working in public relations.

Their relationship grew from there. People close to them said it seemed like a good match. He was a loud, well-known TV figure. She was calm and private. After dating for a few years, they decided to take the next step.

It looked like a happy love story at first. But as we now know, things would later take a very different turn.

Maureen E. McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly’s Marriage

On November 2, 1996, Maureen and Bill got married at St. Brigid’s Parish in Westbury, New York. It was a big moment in her life. She was now married to one of the most famous conservative TV hosts in America.

At the start, their marriage seemed fine from the outside. They lived in a beautiful home and had a public image of a strong, successful couple. But behind closed doors, things were not so perfect.

Over time, problems began to show. There were reports of arguments, stress, and tension between them. But the public didn’t know everything — not yet.

Their Children and Family Life

Maureen and Bill had two children together: a daughter named Madeline, born in 1998, and a son named Spencer, born in 2003. From all reports, Maureen was a loving and caring mother. She focused on her children and tried to give them a normal life, even though their father was always in the spotlight.

Family life, however, became harder as the marriage began to fall apart. Raising children in the middle of a tense home can be very difficult. Later, in court, one of their children would even share details about what they had seen during arguments between their parents.

This would become very important during the custody battle that came later.

What Went Wrong in Their Marriage

By 2008, things were clearly falling apart between Maureen and Bill. The public didn’t know all the details yet, but behind the scenes, their relationship was breaking down fast.

In 2010, they separated. By September 1, 2011, they were officially divorced. But this was not just a regular divorce. It quickly turned into a long and painful legal fight — especially over the children and over claims of abuse and cheating.

There were also reports that Bill O’Reilly had started facing sexual harassment accusations during their marriage. Some people believe this also hurts their relationship. Others think the marriage was already in trouble before those reports came out.

Whatever the cause, their divorce became very messy — and very public.

Domestic Abuse Allegations Against Bill O’Reilly

One of the most shocking parts of this story came during the custody battle. Maureen E. McPhilmy claimed that Bill had been emotionally and physically abusive during their marriage.

The most disturbing moment came when their daughter reportedly told a court-appointed expert that she had seen her father drag Maureen down the stairs by the neck. This statement shook many people.

Bill O’Reilly strongly denied all these claims. He called them “100 percent false.” But the court took the claims seriously and looked at everything carefully.

Eventually, Maureen won full custody of their two children. The court felt she could provide a better and safer home for them. This was a major victory for Maureen after years of stress and legal battles.

Maureen’s Relationship With Jeffrey Gross

After her divorce from Bill O’Reilly, Maureen E. McPhilmy found love again. She started dating a man named Jeffrey Gross. He is a police detective in Nassau County, New York, and is known as a kind and respected officer.

Jeffrey was also dealing with loss. His first wife, Kathleen McBride, sadly passed away from cervical cancer in 2006. She was just 41 years old. Jeffrey had two children with her, and he raised them as a single father until he met Maureen.

Maureen and Jeffrey eventually got married and started a new life together. They now live in Manhasset, New York, with their blended family of four children. Despite the public drama in her past, Maureen seems to have found peace in her new marriage.

How Bill O’Reilly Reacted to Her New Marriage

Sadly, even after their divorce, Bill O’Reilly didn’t let things go. In 2016, he filed a $10 million lawsuit against Maureen E. McPhilmy. He claimed that she had already started her relationship with Jeffrey Gross while they were still married. He said she used the divorce money to support this “extramarital affair.”

Many people saw this as an attempt to hurt her. A friend of Maureen’s said, “Bill has a lot of money and power. He just wanted to damage their happiness.”

But that wasn’t the only thing. O’Reilly also reportedly tried to use the Catholic Church against her. He told church leaders that Maureen should not be allowed to receive Communion because she was divorced and remarried. She was even reprimanded by her church for it.

He also told their children that her second marriage wasn’t right “in the eyes of God.” These actions caused more emotional stress, but Maureen stayed quiet and let her lawyers handle things.

Where Is Maureen E. McPhilmy Now?

As of 2025, Maureen lives a very private life. She avoids media interviews and keeps her personal life out of the public eye. After all the noise and courtroom drama, she seems to have chosen peace and quiet over fame.

She continues to live in Manhasset, New York, with her husband Jeffrey Gross and their children. Friends say she’s focused on family and keeping things normal for her kids. She doesn’t post on social media and doesn’t try to grab attention.

Many people still search for her name online, curious about the woman behind the headlines. But Maureen E. McPhilmy isn’t looking for attention. She’s just living her life — quietly, calmly, and far away from the spotlight.

Final Thoughts

The story of Maureen E. McPhilmy is about more than just a divorce. It’s about strength, patience, and moving on. She faced tough times — including emotional pain, court battles, and public attacks — but she never gave up.

Her life shows that even in the middle of drama and heartbreak, it’s still possible to find peace again. Today, she is not just known as Bill O’Reilly’s ex-wife — she is known as a strong woman, a loving mother, and someone who chose to build a better life after everything.

(FAQs)

How long were Bill O’Reilly and Maureen E. McPhilmy married?

They were married for 15 years — from 1996 to 2011 — but their split involved shocking abuse claims and a long custody battle.

When was Maureen E. McPhilmy born, and how old is she now?

She was born on May 11, 1966, which makes her 59 years old in 2025.

How many children does Maureen E. McPhilmy have?

Maureen has two children with Bill O’Reilly — a daughter named Madeline (born 1998) and a son named Spencer (born 2003).

Who is Maureen E. McPhilmy’s husband now?

She is now married to Jeffrey Gross, a Nassau County police detective, who was once voted Detective of the Year.

What is Maureen E. McPhilmy doing in 2025?

As of 2025, Maureen lives a quiet, private life in Manhasset, New York, with her second husband and children — far away from the media spotlight.