Who Is Maureen McPhilmy? Bill O’Reilly’s Ex-Wife’s Real Story

You may have heard the name Maureen McPhilmy, especially if you followed news about Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host. But who is Maureen, really?

She isn’t a TV star or someone who wants the spotlight. She’s a regular woman who once had a very public marriage — and an even more public divorce. Her story is one of strength, calm, and choosing peace in the middle of chaos.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at her life. From her early days in a small town to her tough split from O’Reilly — and where she is now in 2025.

Maureen McPhilmy’s Quick Profile and Facts

Let’s start with a quick look at Maureen McPhilmy’s background so you can get to know her better.

• Her full name is Maureen Elizabeth McPhilmy.

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

• She’s from Chittenango, New York, and still lives in Manhasset, New York today.

• Maureen is American, Christian, and of white ethnicity.

• She works as a public relations executive.

• She stands 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs about 165 pounds (75 kg).

• She was married to Bill O’Reilly for 15 years and has two children.

• Her current husband is Jeffrey Gross, a police detective.

Simple facts — but behind them is a very powerful story.

Early Life of Maureen McPhilmy

Maureen was born and raised in Chittenango, a small town in upstate New York. It’s the kind of place where everybody knows each other. Life there is quiet and simple.

Her childhood wasn’t always easy. When she was just five years old, her parents divorced. Her mom worked as a gardener, and her dad worked in a local market. They didn’t have fame or fortune — just a regular life.

Even though things were hard at times, Maureen stayed strong. She didn’t grow up in the spotlight. She didn’t come from a rich or famous family. She was just an ordinary girl who later found herself in an extraordinary situation.

Career Journey

Before she was known in the media, Maureen started out in a very normal job — she worked as a waitress. Like many people, she worked hard to build her career and improve her life.

Later, she moved into the world of public relations (PR). A PR expert helps manage the public image of people or businesses. They help clients look good in front of the world.

It’s a job that requires calm thinking, clear communication, and a lot of patience — skills that would later help her through one of the most difficult times in her life.

Even though her job involved being around the media, Maureen herself always stayed away from the spotlight. She liked her privacy. She didn’t want to be famous — she just wanted to do her job and live her life quietly.

How Maureen McPhilmy Met Bill O’Reilly

In 1992, Maureen met someone who would change her life forever — Bill O’Reilly. At the time, he was a TV host working on a show called A Current Affair. Maureen worked in PR, and they met through the job.

They were very different. Bill was loud and confident — a man used to being in front of the camera. Maureen was soft-spoken, private, and calm. But sometimes, opposites attract.

Their relationship started quietly and slowly. People who knew them thought they made a good pair. After a few years of dating, they decided to take the next step — marriage.

It looked like a fairy tale at first. But as we’ll see, their story took a very different turn later on.

Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly’s Marriage

Maureen and Bill got married on November 2, 1996, at St. Brigid’s Parish in Westbury, New York. It was a big day for both of them. Maureen had just married one of the most popular conservative voices in the country.

In public, they looked like a power couple. They had a beautiful home, success, and two wonderful children. But what the world saw wasn’t the full story.

Behind closed doors, the marriage began to change. There were arguments, tension, and stress. But like many couples, they tried to keep it together — especially for their kids.

Still, the cracks were growing. And soon, everything would come to light.

Raising a Family Together

Maureen and Bill had two children — a daughter named Madeline, born in 1998, and a son named Spencer, born in 2003. Being a mom became Maureen’s biggest focus.

Even while dealing with a stressful marriage, Maureen made sure her children were loved and cared for. She tried to give them a normal life, away from the spotlight and media noise.

But raising kids in a home full of tension is never easy. As the marriage began to fall apart, it also affected the children. Later, in court, one of their kids would share a shocking story about what they saw — and that changed everything.

What Went Wrong?

By the time 2010 came, Maureen and Bill’s marriage was in serious trouble. They were no longer happy, and things at home were getting worse.

They separated that year, and by September 1, 2011, they were officially divorced.

But this wasn’t a quiet breakup. It turned into a huge legal battle. There were serious accusations, court fights, and even public drama.

Some people close to the situation said there were signs of problems for years. Others believed the trouble became worse as Bill O’Reilly began facing public controversy at work. Either way, their divorce would soon become one of the most talked-about splits in the media.

Custody Battle and Abuse Allegations

After Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly divorced in 2011, things got even more intense. The couple began fighting over who would get custody of their children.

Maureen made a serious claim in court — she said that Bill had been physically and emotionally abusive during their marriage. One of the most shocking moments was when their daughter told a court expert that she saw her father drag Maureen down the stairs by her neck.

This made headlines across the country. Bill O’Reilly denied all of it and said the claims were “100% false.” Still, the court took the situation seriously. After a careful look at the case, the judge gave full custody to Maureen McPhilmy. The court believed she could provide a safer and more peaceful home for the children.

It was a huge win for Maureen — but it came after a lot of stress, pain, and public attention.

Life After Divorce

Even after everything, Maureen McPhilmy stayed strong. She didn’t speak out in public or try to attack her ex-husband in the media. Instead, she focused on her kids and moving forward.

Not long after the divorce, Maureen found love again. She started seeing a man named Jeffrey Gross, a police detective in Nassau County, New York. Jeffrey had also been through a hard time. His first wife, Kathleen McBride, passed away from cervical cancer in 2006.

Jeffrey had two children of his own. He was raising them alone until Maureen came into his life. Together, they built a blended family — and something very beautiful began to grow out of all the pain.

Maureen and Jeffrey later got married. They now live quietly in Manhasset, New York, and stay far away from the spotlight.

Lawsuits and Church Involvement

Even though Maureen had moved on, Bill O’Reilly did not let go. In 2016, he filed a $10 million lawsuit against her. He claimed Maureen had already started her relationship with Jeffrey Gross before their divorce was final, and that she used divorce settlement money to support that relationship.

The lawsuit surprised many people. Some saw it as another way for O’Reilly to stay in control. A friend of Maureen even said, “Bill has money and power, and he’s using it to make her life harder.”

But that wasn’t all.

O’Reilly also tried to get the Catholic Church involved. He told the church that Maureen should not receive Communion because she was divorced and remarried. Maureen was reportedly reprimanded by her church for it.

Even their children were affected. O’Reilly told them that Maureen’s new marriage wasn’t right “in the eyes of God.” This created even more pain for the family.

But Maureen did not fight back in the public. She stayed quiet, strong, and let her lawyers take care of everything.

Where Is Maureen McPhilmy Now in 2025?

So, where is Maureen McPhilmy today?

In 2025, she is living a private and peaceful life with her husband, Jeffrey Gross, and their children. She has stayed out of the spotlight since the divorce. No interviews. No public drama. No social media.

Her focus is on her family, her home, and living a normal life.

After everything she went through — the abuse claims, the court battles, and being attacked by someone as powerful as Bill O’Reilly — she chose peace over revenge.

Many people admire her for that. She never tried to be famous. She just wanted a happy, safe life for her children. And now, it seems like she has it.

Why Maureen McPhilmy’s Story Still Matters Today

The story of Maureen McPhilmy is not just about a failed marriage. It’s about a woman who stood up for herself and her children. It’s about someone who stayed calm even when the world was watching.

She showed that you don’t have to shout to be strong. You don’t have to be rich or famous to fight for what’s right. Sometimes, strength means staying silent and walking away from toxic people.

Maureen didn’t write a book. She didn’t go on TV. She didn’t try to be a hero. She just kept going. And that’s what makes her story so powerful.

Final Thoughts

Maureen McPhilmy may not be a household name, but her story has touched many. She went from a quiet life in New York to being the ex-wife of one of the most famous men in media. But she never let the drama define her.

In the end, she found love again, won custody of her children, and built a new, peaceful life far from cameras and courtrooms.

Her story is a reminder that no matter how loud the world gets, you can still choose peace, strength, and dignity.