Donnie Wahlberg is best known as a founding member of New Kids on the Block and for his work as an actor, but his personal life has also attracted plenty of attention. The singer and actor has been married to Jenny McCarthy since 2014.
McCarthy is an actress, television personality, author and former Playboy model who has built a career across entertainment and television. Together, Wahlberg and McCarthy have become one of the more recognizable celebrity couples, regularly sharing glimpses of their relationship while keeping many details of their family life private.
Who Is Jenny McCarthy?
Jenny McCarthy is a Chicago-born entertainer who first became widely known as a television personality and model before moving into acting, hosting and other media work.
Over the years, she has appeared in movies and television programs and has served as a host and panelist on several major entertainment shows. She later became particularly familiar to television audiences through programs such as The Masked Singer.
McCarthy was previously married to actor and director John Asher. They have one son, Evan, together.
How They Met
Wahlberg and McCarthy first crossed paths publicly in 2012 when they appeared together on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Their connection developed later, and the pair began dating in 2013. McCarthy has spoken openly about how quickly their relationship became serious, while Wahlberg has frequently credited her with bringing happiness and stability into his life.
Their romance soon became a regular subject of entertainment coverage, particularly because both already had established careers and children from previous relationships.
Their Wedding
After roughly a year of dating, the couple became engaged in April 2014.
Wahlberg and McCarthy married on August 31, 2014, at Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois. The wedding was an intimate celebration attended by family, friends and several people connected to Wahlberg’s career.
Members of New Kids on the Block were among those connected to the celebration, adding a personal touch to the ceremony for the longtime pop star.
The Illinois location was especially meaningful because McCarthy was raised in the Chicago area.
A Blended Family
Wahlberg and McCarthy entered their marriage with children from earlier relationships.
Wahlberg has two sons, Xavier and Elijah, from his previous marriage to Kimberly Fey. McCarthy has one son, Evan, from her previous marriage to John Asher.
Although the couple does not have children together, their household represents a blended family that has remained an important part of their lives.
McCarthy has frequently spoken affectionately about her family, while Wahlberg has also emphasized the importance of being present for his children.
Donnie Loves Jenny
Their relationship became the subject of its own television series.
Donnie Loves Jenny premiered on A&E in 2015 and followed the couple as they navigated marriage, family life, work and their very different personalities.
The program gave viewers an unusually personal look at their relationship. Rather than presenting only a polished celebrity romance, the show focused on everyday moments, disagreements, celebrations and family experiences.
The series also demonstrated how closely their professional and personal lives had become intertwined.
Their Annual Tradition
One of the most talked-about aspects of their marriage is their anniversary tradition.
Wahlberg and McCarthy have repeatedly celebrated their wedding anniversary with romantic gestures and vow-renewal ceremonies. The tradition has become a recurring feature of their relationship, with both sharing affectionate messages about their marriage over the years.
Their public celebrations have helped establish a recognizable pattern: every anniversary becomes another opportunity for them to reflect on their relationship and reaffirm their commitment to one another.
Supporting Each Other
Both Wahlberg and McCarthy have continued working in entertainment throughout their marriage.
Wahlberg has maintained his career as both a performer and actor. He remains closely associated with New Kids on the Block while also taking on television and film projects.
McCarthy has likewise continued appearing on television and working across entertainment. She has supported her husband’s acting and music projects, while Wahlberg has publicly celebrated her professional accomplishments.
Their careers sometimes overlap, making mutual support particularly important.
Donnie’s Acting Career
Although New Kids on the Block made Wahlberg famous, acting has become another major part of his career.
He became especially well known to television audiences through his role as Detective Danny Reagan on CBS’s Blue Bloods. The long-running police drama ended its run in 2024 after 14 seasons.
Wahlberg’s television career has continued beyond Blue Bloods. His later work includes Boston Blue, a CBS drama connected to the Blue Bloods universe, in which he plays Boston Police Department detective Danny Reagan.
The project has given Wahlberg another opportunity to bring one of his best-known television characters into a new setting.
Still Together
As of 2026, Donnie Wahlberg and Jenny McCarthy remain married. Their relationship has lasted more than a decade, spanning changes in their careers, family life and public profiles.
They have also managed to maintain a strong presence on social media, where they occasionally post affectionate tributes and anniversary messages.
For fans who know Wahlberg primarily as a New Kids on the Block singer or television actor, McCarthy has become an equally recognizable part of his public story.
Donnie Wahlberg’s wife is Jenny McCarthy, the actress and television personality he married in 2014. Their relationship began after they met publicly in 2012 and started dating the following year.
Their marriage brought together two established entertainment careers and a blended family with three children from previous relationships. From their Donnie Loves Jenny reality series to their annual anniversary traditions, the couple has allowed fans to see an unusually personal side of their relationship.
More than a decade after their wedding, Wahlberg and McCarthy continue to balance family, entertainment careers and life in the public eye while celebrating the partnership that began in the early 2010s.
