His marriage history with wife Robin is explained

No matter what kind of star you are, keeping a marriage together in Hollywood is hard work!

Now just to clear the air no Divorced, despite recent rumors to the contrary.

But, she once called off a marriage – a fact that even long-time fans may not be aware of.

Because the self-help guru rarely mentions his first trip down the aisle. And to justify Phil, there are good reasons for that.

Phil has been married to his current wife Robyn McGrath since 1976, but he was married once before – and it didn't last long.

Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife Robyn McGraw with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California. Phil McGrath was in attendance at the ceremony. — Dr. Phil McGrath and his wife Robin McGrath receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California. Phil McGrath was in attendance at the ceremony. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

How her first marriage ended

Phil married Debbie Higgins McCall in 1970, when he was 20 years old.

By all accounts, the marriage was not a happy one.

“I was a big football player, and he was a cheerleader. It was just the next job,” Phil once said NewsweekAdding that he and Debbie parted on amicable terms:

“There was never a cross word between us,” he said. “We just sat down and said, 'Why did we do this?'”

Debbie claims Phil's infidelity ended the relationship, but we may never know for sure what forced the young couple to go their separate ways.

In any case, Phil rarely has good reason to mention his first marriage.

Besides ending on bad terms it ended over 50 years ago!

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw: Are They Still Together?

Robin McGraw and TV personality Phil McGraw attend the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Fortunately, Phil had much better luck with his second marriage.

He and Robin have been married for nearly 50 years, and have two children together, Jay McGrath and Jordan McGrath.

Robin and Phil started dating when she was in the process of annulling her first marriage, and they got married at the first opportunity.

Dr. Phil McGrath and Robin McGrath on stage at the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS event co-chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As they approach the 50-year mark, both parties are often asked the secret to a long, successful marriage.

Not surprisingly, they both say communication and honesty are key.

And in McGrath's case, that formula was so successful that they never even fought!

“We don't fight, and that's because we had a conversation early on and I told him that it's not normal for me to live in a house where people shout and scream – my parents didn't, I don't. Do that and I don't want to live in a house like that,” Robin once said new you magazine (through Hollywood Life)

“He got it and never raised his voice around me. We don't fight.”