Jenny McCarthy Reveals the Unexpected Game That Keeps Her Marriage to Donnie Wahlberg Hot After 11 Years
Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg have been married for over a decade, but judging by their recent appearance at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the spark between them is anything but fading. The couple, who tied the knot in 2014, looked more in love than ever—and according to Jenny, their secret to keeping the romance alive comes down to something playful, intentional, and surprisingly simple.
“It’s a game I created called Questions,” McCarthy shared during a red carpet interview. “Every once in a while we’ll play this game and we have to ask questions that we don’t know the answer to, because you already know what you think are answers to everything after 10 years.”
The game helps the couple stay emotionally connected, encouraging them to continue discovering new layers in their relationship. It’s this sense of curiosity, even after more than a decade together, that McCarthy says keeps their marriage from falling into routine.
The Key: Keep Dating Each Other
Jenny also opened up about a truth that many long-term couples face: the tendency for romance to give way to familiarity.
“It can become a brother and sister relationship real quick, unless you do the work,” she told People during the iHeartRadio Awards on March 17. For Jenny and Donnie, that work includes intentionally dating each other—going out, dressing up, asking meaningful questions, and never losing sight of the passion that brought them together in the first place.
That effort was on full display during their glam night out. Jenny turned heads in a dazzling gold chainmail dress featuring a cowl neckline, intricate embellishments, and sheer panels that showed off her figure. She completed the bold look with sleek, wet-look hair and a dramatic smokey eye paired with a nude lip.
Donnie complemented her in a chic baby blue suit, which he wore over a chocolate brown button-up and matching loafers. Together, the couple exuded glam and chemistry, sharing a kiss for photographers and walking the carpet with their arms wrapped tightly around one another.
A Love Story with a Twist of Fate
Their love story is just as endearing as their public displays of affection. Jenny and Donnie first met in 2012, but the real spark ignited in 2013 when Wahlberg appeared on The Jenny McCarthy Show. It wasn’t until Jenny gave him her phone number during the show—and a little psychic intervention—that Donnie finally made his move.
“He saw a commercial of me asking a psychic on my talk show if I’m going to marry Donnie Wahlberg,” Jenny recalled during an appearance on Jennie Garth’s I Choose Me podcast. “And the psychic was like, ‘Yeah.’ And this is before we even went on a date, okay? But it was right after the episode, so he wound up calling me.”
Their first date followed shortly after, and as Jenny put it, “It was game over.”
Celebrating a Milestone—Their Way
The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in August 2024 by renewing their vows at the same place where it all began: the historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois. It was a full-circle moment that reflected their shared commitment to keeping love and intention at the center of their relationship.
From romantic vow renewals to late-night Q&A games, Jenny and Donnie continue to show that lasting love takes both playfulness and purpose.
What’s Next for the Power Couple?
With Donnie balancing his role on Blue Bloods and the upcoming spin-off Boston Blue, and Jenny busy with various TV projects and her podcast work, both stars continue to thrive professionally. But even amid their busy schedules, they make time for each other—and that might just be the real secret to their success.
“We choose each other every day,” Jenny said. “That’s what keeps it going.”
