Phyllis Minkoff built a quiet but meaningful career in public relations long before most people ever heard her name attached to a famous television host. She is widely recognized today as the first wife of Maury Povich, the retired broadcaster best known for hosting the long-running talk show “Maury.” Yet reducing Phyllis Minkoff to a footnote in someone else’s biography does not do her justice. She raised four daughters, built a career in communications, supported causes she believed in, and lived a life that stayed largely out of the spotlight by choice. This article looks closely at who she is, where she came from, her marriage to Maury Povich, her life afterward, and the family she built along the way.
Phyllis Minkoff: Quick Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phyllis Minkoff |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1941 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 85 years old |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Hyman Joseph Minkoff (father) and Ida Minkoff (mother) |
| Sibling | Larry Minkoff (brother) |
| Occupation | Public relations and communications expert |
| First Spouse | Maury Povich (married 1962, divorced 1979) |
| Second Spouse | Phillip Baskin (married 1980, died 2005) |
| Children | Susan Anne Povich, Amy Joyce Povich, Shoshana Nudel, Janice Gondelman |
| Political Affiliation | Democratic Party supporter |
| Known For | Public relations career and being Maury Povich’s first wife |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
Early Life and Family Background
Phyllis Minkoff was born on February 15, 1941, in Washington, D.C. She grew up in the nation’s capital as the daughter of Hyman Joseph Minkoff and Ida Minkoff. Her father ran a business called Acme Liquors, a liquor store he opened in 1940, just a year before Phyllis was born. After he eventually stepped away from running the store, he moved into real estate.
Phyllis was not an only child. She grew up alongside her brother, Larry Minkoff, in a household that valued hard work and community ties. Washington, D.C. in the 1940s and 1950s shaped much of her early worldview, and the city’s political atmosphere likely played a role in the interests she would carry into adulthood. Detailed information about her schooling and early education has never been widely publicized, since Phyllis has consistently kept her personal history private. What is clear, however, is that her upbringing in a business-minded family in the capital laid the foundation for the career she would go on to build.
Marriage to Maury Povich
Phyllis Minkoff married Maury Povich in 1962. At the time, Povich was still building his career in broadcast journalism, years before he became a household name with “A Current Affair” and later “Maury.” The couple spent 17 years together, and during that time Phyllis took on the name Phyllis Minkoff Povich.
Their marriage produced two daughters:
- Susan Anne Povich, who grew up to become a lawyer, chef, and restaurateur. She owns Red Hook Lobster Pound, a seafood restaurant based in New York, and she is married to Ralph Gorham, a motorcycle designer.
- Amy Joyce Povich, who became an actress. She is married to Dr. David Agus, a well-known physician and author.
Phyllis and Maury’s marriage came to an end in 1979, after nearly two decades together. Some outlets have speculated about the reasons behind the split, including reports suggesting Phyllis may have started a new relationship before the divorce was finalized, given how quickly she remarried afterward. None of these claims have ever been confirmed publicly by either party, and Phyllis has never addressed the details of the divorce in interviews.
Maury Povich moved on to marry television journalist Connie Chung in 1984. The couple remains married and adopted a son, Matthew Jay Povich, in 1995. Despite the divorce, Phyllis and Maury are believed to have maintained a working relationship as co-parents to their two daughters.
Life After Divorce and Second Marriage
Phyllis Minkoff remarried in 1980, just a year after her divorce from Povich. Her second husband was Phillip Baskin, an attorney who also served as a councilman in Pittsburgh. This marriage gave Phyllis two more daughters:
- Shoshana Nudel
- Janice Gondelman
Phillip Baskin passed away in 2005 at the age of 83. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease roughly eleven years before his death, and complications related to the condition ultimately led to his passing. Phyllis has not remarried since Baskin’s death and has continued to live a private life centered on family and her long-standing professional interests.
Career in Public Relations and Communications
Away from her marriages, Phyllis Minkoff built a genuine career of her own. She has worked for decades as a communications and public relations expert, though she has never publicly disclosed whether she operated as an independent consultant or worked within a firm. Her career reflects a pattern common among professionals of her generation who preferred to let their work speak for itself rather than court media attention.
Unlike many people who become known primarily through a famous spouse, Phyllis carved out an identity centered on her own professional accomplishments. Colleagues and acquaintances have described her as sharp, articulate, and deeply engaged with the issues she chose to support, qualities that align naturally with a long career in communications.
Political and Philanthropic Involvement
Phyllis Minkoff has never been shy about her political views. She has been an active member of political and advocacy circles for years, particularly those focused on women’s rights. During the 2016 election cycle, she publicly supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and was associated with the Women’s Liberation Front. She has also been linked to other progressive political figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and former Congressman Joe Kennedy III.
Beyond electoral politics, Phyllis has supported causes tied to reproductive rights, having taken part in projects connected to Planned Parenthood. She has also directed her philanthropic efforts toward animal welfare, donating to multiple nonprofit organizations and animal shelters across the United States. This combination of political engagement and charitable giving paints a picture of a woman who has used her resources and platform, however low profile, to support causes larger than herself.
Where Is Phyllis Minkoff Now?
As of 2026, Phyllis Minkoff is 85 years old. She has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, choosing not to give interviews or make public appearances tied to her connection with Maury Povich. There is no indication that she and Povich stayed in close contact after their children reached adulthood, though nothing suggests any lingering animosity between them either.
Reports estimate Phyllis Minkoff’s net worth at approximately one million dollars, a figure attributed to her long career in public relations rather than any connection to her ex-husband’s fame or fortune. For context, Maury Povich’s own net worth is estimated at around forty million dollars, built through his decades-long career in television. Phyllis has never publicly commented on these comparisons, and by most accounts, she has never sought to be defined by them.
Why People Still Search for Phyllis Minkoff
Interest in Phyllis Minkoff has persisted for one simple reason: Maury Povich remains a familiar face to millions of viewers who grew up watching his talk show, and audiences are naturally curious about the people who shaped his early life. Because Phyllis has kept such a low profile, much of what is known about her comes from public records, interviews given by her daughters, and occasional mentions in stories about Povich himself.
That low visibility has, in a way, become part of her story. In an era when many people connected to celebrities lean into the attention, Phyllis Minkoff chose the opposite path. She built a career, raised four daughters across two marriages, and stayed committed to causes she found meaningful, all while keeping her personal life largely private.
Conclusion
Phyllis Minkoff’s life extends far beyond her early marriage to Maury Povich. She built a lasting career in public relations, raised four accomplished daughters, and supported political and charitable causes she believed in, all while keeping her personal life private. Her story shows that a quiet life can still be a full and meaningful one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Phyllis Minkoff?
Phyllis Minkoff is an American public relations and communications expert best known as the first wife of television host Maury Povich. She was married to Povich from 1962 to 1979.
How many children does Phyllis Minkoff have?
Phyllis Minkoff has four daughters. She had two daughters, Susan Anne and Amy Joyce Povich, with Maury Povich, and two more daughters, Shoshana Nudel and Janice Gondelman, with her second husband, Phillip Baskin.
Why did Phyllis Minkoff and Maury Povich divorce?
The couple divorced in 1979 after 17 years of marriage. Neither Phyllis nor Maury has publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the split.
Is Phyllis Minkoff still alive?
Yes, Phyllis Minkoff is alive and is 85 years old as of 2026. She lives a private life away from public attention.
What is Phyllis Minkoff’s net worth?
Phyllis Minkoff has an estimated net worth of around one million dollars, built through her career in public relations rather than through her past marriage to Maury Povich.
