COUPLESDr. Phil's Wife of 50 Years Robin Says He Was 'Grumpy and Rude' When They First Met
Robin McGraw recalled meeting Dr. Phil in 1973, recalling how 'grumpy and rude' he was at the time.
Aug. 12 2026, Published 7:23 a.m. ET
Robin McGraw is looking back on the unexpected beginning of her decades-long romance with Dr. Phil McGraw.
As the couple prepares to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 14, Robin recalled the night they first met in 1973. According to her, there was no instant fairytale moment — in fact, Dr. Phil's first impression was anything but charming.
Robin McGraw recalled meeting Dr. Phil McGraw in 1973 after her original double-date plans fell through.
Robin explained in an interview that she was supposed to go on a double date with Dr. Phil's sister and her boyfriend, but when the man she was supposed to meet got stuck somewhere because of bad weather, the plans suddenly fell apart.
“But this pilot they’ve hooked me up with gets weathered in somewhere, so I don’t have the date,” Robin told Us Weekly.
With her plans canceled, Robin's friend went out with her boyfriend and left her at the house.
Before leaving, however, she gave Robin one important warning.
“The last thing she said was, ‘Oh, but by the way, you have to be really quiet. My brother is in town, and he’s been really sick.’ I said, ‘I didn’t even know you had a brother,’” Robin said.
Robin Wasn't Impressed at First
Robin admitted that Dr. Phil came across as ‘grumpy and rude’ during their first encounter.
Robin soon discovered exactly who her friend's brother was.
As she headed into the kitchen to grab some water, she noticed Dr. Phil sitting in the family room watching television.
“The TV is on and I walk through, and he goes, ‘Who are you?’ So we didn’t really start off on a real friendly note, but he said, ‘Would you like to sit down and watch this movie with me?’ I said yes and we’ve been together ever since,” Robin recalled.
Dr. Phil remembered the encounter a little differently.
The TV personality told the outlet that he didn't speak to Robin “quite that harshly.”
Robin, however, had a very different memory of their first exchange.
“I actually asked him, ‘Are you always this grumpy and rude?’” she recalled.
Despite the rocky introduction, Robin quickly realized there was more to him than his tough exterior.
She agreed to go out with him the following night — and apparently, that was all it took.
“It was love at first sight for me. I knew right then I was going to marry this man,” Robin said. “He was rough and gruff and not very friendly, but I knew he was just a teddy bear. He was really sweet.”
By their third date, Robin said, “I was serious. I knew I was going to marry him.”
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From Simple Wedding to 50 Years Together
Despite the awkward introduction, Robin quickly felt that Dr. Phil was the man she would eventually marry.
The couple got engaged on Valentine's Day and tied the knot six months later.
Their wedding was a small and simple affair.
“We got married in the chapel of the church. We had a little reception where we had punch and cookies. But we couldn’t really afford a photographer, so we just had friends and family take the photos,” the philanthropist said, adding that they were very “poor” at the time.
“Apparently, we made the right decision because it’s been 50 years and we’re still together, have two grown sons and four grandchildren,” Dr. Phil said.
The Secret Behind Their Lasting Marriage
The couple married six months after getting engaged and went on to have two sons and four grandchildren.
After half a century together, the couple also opened up about the foundation of their relationship.
“We both have a very, very strong faith and we do rely on that every day — in trauma and in joy. It’s very important to us to have our faith with us. I’ve always believed that whatever we’re going through — good or bad — it is because of God’s love. That’s part of a plan and so we question nothing,” Robin shared.
