Steve Doocy’s longest-running relationship isn’t with Fox News — it’s with his wife, Kathy Gerrity Doocy. The Fox & Friends co-host has spent nearly three decades on television, but his marriage, which has lasted almost four, is the true foundation of his life. The couple, who tied the knot in 1986, have built a life full of laughter, resilience, and love — one that has endured through career highs, family milestones, and even health challenges.
Doocy, now one of Fox News’ most recognizable faces, began his broadcasting career in the 1980s. It was during that time, while working at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., that he met Kathy. She was a reporter and former model, and their connection was immediate. Their shared background in television sparked a friendship that quickly blossomed into romance. Within a few years, they were inseparable, and in 1986, they exchanged vows, beginning what would become one of the most enduring partnerships in the media world.
Just a year after their wedding, they welcomed their first child, Peter Doocy, who would one day follow in his father’s footsteps. Peter is now a White House correspondent for Fox News and often appears on-air alongside his dad. The Doocys later had two daughters, Mary and Sally, completing a close-knit family that Steve describes as “the heart of everything.”
Throughout their marriage, Steve and Kathy have been each other’s biggest supporters, both in public and in private. Their marriage has weathered the demands of high-profile careers, the unpredictability of raising children, and the challenges of maintaining balance amid busy schedules. In 2007, Steve released The Mr. and Mrs. Happy Handbook, a lighthearted guide to love and marriage inspired by his own relationship. When speaking about the book, he explained, “Ultimately, I wrote this because I love my wife.”
In the book and in interviews, Doocy has often shared his secret to a lasting marriage. “Separate bathrooms,” he joked to the Christian Broadcasting Network, before adding that it’s the small gestures that make the difference. “When you’re in public places, hold hands. It reminds your one and only that you love her. Also, if you let go, she’ll shop.” His sense of humor, matched by Kathy’s warmth, has always been a defining feature of their relationship.
But their love story hasn’t been without trials. Around 2015, Kathy received a life-changing diagnosis — ocular melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer. The discovery came unexpectedly, after she visited an eye doctor before a planned trip to Florida. The doctor noticed an unusual freckle in her eye and referred her to a retinal specialist. Further testing at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia confirmed the diagnosis.
The news was devastating, but Steve remained steadfast by her side throughout her treatment. The couple faced the uncertainty together, choosing optimism and faith over fear. Thankfully, after months of medical care and follow-up visits, Kathy’s health began to improve, and she eventually received a clean bill of health. Reflecting on the experience, Steve told SurvivorNet, “It’s been overwhelming to us, just the reaction. I know for a fact that people across the country got screened for eye cancer because of my wife’s diagnosis.” Their openness about the ordeal inspired many viewers to take their own health seriously, turning a painful chapter into a story of hope and awareness.
Kathy’s recovery also sparked a creative project. Grateful for her second chance at life, she decided to write down the recipes that had filled their home with warmth over the years. “She said, ‘You know what, when I get home, I’m going to start writing down the recipes because our kids need to know how to make those foods that will remind them of their childhood,’” Steve recalled. That idea became The Happy Cookbook, a collection of family recipes and stories co-written by Steve and Kathy.
Their three children have all spoken publicly about the impact their parents have had on them. Peter often credits his mom and dad for their guidance, saying, “As a young reporter, the best thing you can do is ask someone who’s been there. My mom and dad have both been there.” Sally, who works at Fox News as a Sales Planner, and Mary, an attorney, share the same admiration. The Doocys’ family bond remains as strong as ever, even as their children build their own careers and lives.
For Steve and Kathy, home has always been more than a place — it’s a feeling. “It was important to me that we lived in the same house so that the kids always knew where home was,” Steve said. “Over the past 20 years, they still come back, and it’s still home — that’s what we were going for.”
Now, after nearly forty years of marriage, Steve and Kathy Doocy continue to embody the love and humor that first brought them together. Through challenges, triumphs, and the everyday moments in between, their marriage stands as a quiet but powerful reminder of what endures when two people truly choose each other — every single day.
