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Maureen McPhilmy’s story is a powerful narrative of resilience and privacy in the age of relentless media storms. She is best known as the ex-wife of former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. She is a public relations professional based in the United States.
Born on May 11, 1966, Maureen has navigated the complexities of a high-profile divorce and a contentious custody battle with remarkable composure. Today, as a seasoned public relations executive, she uses her expertise to manage media landscapes, a skill she undoubtedly applied to protect her own family’s privacy.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Maureen E McPhilmy |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Public Relations Executive |
| Ex Husband | Bill O’Reilly |
| Current Husband | Jeff Gross |
| Children | Two (Madeline and Spencer O’Reilly) |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Bill O’Reilly |
| Maureen E McPhilmy Net Worth | Estimated $3 million to $5 million (2026) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Residence | Long Island, New York |
Who Is Maureen McPhilmy?
Maureen McPhilmy is an American public relations professional who came into public attention primarily because of her high-profile marriage to and divorce from Bill O’Reilly, the former host of The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News.
Despite the public nature of her divorce, Maureen herself has always preferred to stay out of the spotlight. She built her career independently in the PR industry and continues to work professionally while maintaining a quiet personal life on Long Island.
Her story is one that many people search for out of curiosity about the Bill O’Reilly divorce saga, but she is a person with her own identity, career, and life that extends well beyond that chapter.
Maureen E. McPhilmy’s Age and Background
Maureen E. McPhilmy’s age is not precisely confirmed in public records, as she keeps personal details private. Based on available information, she was born in the early 1966s, which places her in her early 60s as of 2026.
She grew up in the United States and pursued a career in public relations, which requires strong communication skills, media understanding, and the ability to manage public image. These are skills she clearly developed well, given her professional track record.
Her background before marrying Bill O’Reilly is not extensively documented in public sources, which reflects her consistent preference for privacy throughout her life.
Maureen McPhilmy’s career as a PR Executive
What Maureen McPhilmy does is one of the most frequently asked questions about her, and the answer is straightforward: she works as a public relations professional.
She has built her career in PR over many years, working with clients on media strategy, communications, and public image management.
Her work in public relations is ironic given how much unwanted media attention her divorce generated. She understands the media landscape professionally, which likely helped her navigate the press coverage surrounding her split from Bill O’Reilly with as much dignity and privacy as possible.
She continues to work in the PR field as of 2026, maintaining a professional identity that stands completely independent of her former marriage.
Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly’s Divorce Details
The Bill O’Reilly and Maureen E. McPhilmy marriage was one of the most discussed celebrity divorces of the 2000s. The two married in 1996 in a Catholic ceremony. They appeared to be a typical high-profile media couple for several years, living in Long Island and raising their children together.
The Divorce
The marriage began falling apart in the mid-2000s. Maureen filed for divorce, and the proceedings became extremely contentious and very public. The divorce was finalized in 2011 after years of legal battles.
The custody dispute that followed was intense. Court documents revealed deeply troubling allegations. Maureen accused Bill O’Reilly of emotionally and physically abusive behavior.
In a particularly significant development, their daughter Madeline O’Reilly reportedly witnessed an incident of alleged abuse, which became part of the custody proceedings.
A court ultimately awarded primary custody of the children to Maureen, which was seen by many observers as a significant ruling given Bill O’Reilly’s public stature and resources.
The Custody Battle
The custody battle extended beyond the initial divorce settlement. Bill O’Reilly reportedly sought to have the custody arrangement changed multiple times. Each attempt drew further public attention and legal scrutiny.
The case took an additional turn when a Long Island diocese reportedly conducted an investigation related to the allegations made during the proceedings. The full details of all proceedings were kept partially sealed, but enough became public to generate substantial news coverage.
Maureen consistently prioritized her children’s well-being throughout this period and worked through the legal system to protect them.
Maureen McPhilmy’s Husband

After her divorce from Bill O’Reilly, She moved forward with her personal life and found happiness again. Maureen McPhilmy’s husband today is Jeff Gross, a businessman whom she married after her divorce was finalized.
Who Is Jeff Gross?
Jeff Gross’s wife is Maureen McPhilmy, and he has largely stayed out of public attention just as she has. Jeff Gross is a businessman based in the Long Island area. He keeps a low public profile and supports Maureen’s preference for privacy.
The two built a life together and blended their families on Long Island. By all available accounts, their relationship is stable and grounded. Jeff Gross represents a chapter of Maureen’s life that is defined by peace and normalcy rather than the turbulence of her first marriage.
Their relationship became a minor point of contention in the ongoing Bill O’Reilly legal matters, with reports suggesting O’Reilly had concerns about Jeff Gross spending time with his children. Courts addressed these concerns within the custody framework.
Maureen McPhilmy’s Children
Maureen McPhilmy’s children are two in number. She has a daughter named Madeline O’Reilly and a son named Spencer O’Reilly, both from her marriage to Bill O’Reilly.
Madeline O’Reilly
Madeline O’Reilly became a name that appeared in court documents related to the custody proceedings. Reports indicated that Madeline witnessed events that formed part of the legal case.
Despite being drawn into a very adult conflict at a young age, Madeline has grown up away from media attention thanks largely to Maureen’s fierce protection of her children’s privacy.
As of 2026, Madeline O’Reilly is a young adult. She maintains a private life and has not sought public attention.
Spencer O’Reilly
Spencer O’Reilly, Maureen’s son, also lives a private life. He grew up primarily with his mother following the custody ruling and has stayed entirely out of public view.
Maureen has always placed her children’s emotional health and stability above everything else, and the results of that commitment are visible in how quietly and successfully both children have navigated growing up in the shadow of their father’s fame and controversy.
Maureen E McPhilmy Net Worth
Maureen E. McPhilmy’s net worth is estimated at between $3 million and $5 million as of 2026. This figure reflects her divorce settlement from Bill O’Reilly, her long career in public relations, and her financial management over the years.
Bill O’Reilly’s net worth at the height of his career was estimated at over $85 million, which means the divorce settlement almost certainly included a substantial financial component.
The exact terms of the settlement remain confidential, but it is reasonable to conclude that Maureen received significant financial support as part of the agreement.
Her PR career adds independent earning power to her financial profile. She did not rely solely on the settlement but continued building her own professional income after the divorce.
Her current lifestyle in Long Island with Jeff Gross reflects comfortable financial stability rather than flashy wealth, which aligns with her general approach to privacy and normality.
Little-Known Facts
Maureen and Bill O’Reilly married in a Catholic ceremony, and the Catholic faith played a role in how their community responded to the divorce and subsequent remarriage.
She has never given a major media interview about her marriage, divorce, or custody battle despite enormous public interest. This level of discipline in staying silent is genuinely rare for someone at the center of such a high-profile story.
Long Island is not just where she lives but where she has deep community roots, and she is known locally as a grounded and private individual rather than a celebrity-adjacent figure.
The custody ruling in her favor was considered significant by legal observers because courts historically showed some deference to high-earning fathers in contested custody cases involving media figures.
Jeff Gross and Maureen have built what observers describe as a genuinely stable and happy household, which stands in sharp contrast to the chaos of her first marriage.
She reportedly handled much of her own media strategy during the divorce period, drawing on her PR expertise to minimize damage and control what little narrative she allowed into the public space.
Conclusion
Maureen McPhilmy is a woman who navigated one of the most publicly scrutinized divorces in American media history with remarkable composure and determination. She protected her children, built her own financial stability, and created a new life with Jeff Gross that reflects her values of privacy, stability, and independence.
Her story resonates with many people because it shows how someone can move forward with dignity after a turbulent and very public chapter. In 2026, She continues to live on her own terms, which is perhaps the most telling detail of all.
FAQs
Who is Maureen McPhilmy married to now?
Maureen McPhilmy is currently married to Jeff Gross, a businessman based in Long Island. They married after her divorce from Bill O’Reilly was finalized in 2011. Jeff Gross and Maureen have maintained a private and stable life together since their marriage.
What is Maureen McPhilmy’s net worth?
Maureen E. McPhilmy’s net worth is estimated at between $3 million and $5 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes from her divorce settlement with Bill O’Reilly and her independent career in public relations.
How many children does Maureen McPhilmy have?
Maureen McPhilmy has two children, Madeline O’Reilly and Spencer O’Reilly, both from her marriage to Bill O’Reilly. She won primary custody of both children following the divorce proceedings.
What does Maureen McPhilmy do for work?
She works as a public relations professional. She has built her career in PR independently and continues to work in the field as of 2026, maintaining a professional identity separate from her former marriage.
Who is Madeline O’Reilly?
Madeline O’Reilly is the daughter of Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly. She became known publicly through references in the custody case documents. As of 2026, she is a young adult living privately away from media attention.

