Introduction
Maureen E. McPhilmy is a public relations executive who became well-known due to her marriage and divorce from former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. Born in 1966 in New York, she has built a successful career while also navigating a highly publicized personal life. After her difficult divorce, which included serious allegations and a custody battle, Maureen found happiness again with her current husband, Jeffrey Gross. Despite the challenges she faced, she has remained strong and focused on her work and family. This article takes a closer look at her life, career, and personal journey.
Who Is “Maureen E Mcphilmy” ?

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Maureen E. McPhilmy is an American public relations executive best known for her past marriage to former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. She was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, New York. Maureen has had a successful career in public relations, helping manage and promote the public image of individuals and organizations.
Her name became widely recognized due to her high-profile divorce from O’Reilly in 2011, which involved serious allegations of domestic abuse and a lengthy custody battle over their children. After the divorce, she moved on and remarried Jeffrey Gross, a Nassau County police detective.
Despite the public attention surrounding her personal life, Maureen has continued to focus on her career and family, maintaining a private and low-profile lifestyle.
Maureen E. McPhilmy Biography
Category | Details |
Full Name | Maureen Elizabeth McPhilmy |
Date of Birth | May 11, 1966 |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Public Relations Executive |
Education | Attended St. Peter’s School |
Marital Status | Married |
Ex-Husband | Bill O’Reilly (m. 1996 – div. 2011) |
Current Husband | Jeffrey Gross (married after divorce) |
Children | 2 (Madeline and Spencer O’Reilly) |
Known For | Marriage and divorce from Bill O’Reilly |
Notable Events | High-profile custody battle with Bill O’Reilly |
Current Residence | Manhasset, New York, USA |
Public Image | Maintains a private life despite media attention |
Place of Birth | Chittenango, New York, USA |
Early Life and Career

Maureen E. McPhilmy was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, New York, USA. She grew up in a modest household, where her father worked in a local market, and her mother was a gardener. When Maureen was just five years old, her parents divorced, which shaped much of her early life.
She attended St. Peter’s School, where she completed her education. After finishing school, Maureen started working as a waitress, gaining early work experience before transitioning into the public relations industry.
Career in Public Relations
Maureen found her true calling in public relations, where she built a successful career. As a public relations executive, she works with individuals and businesses to manage their public image, improve media presence, and handle publicity-related matters.
Despite gaining public attention due to her personal life, Maureen has maintained a professional and private lifestyle, focusing on her career in public relations while managing the challenges of high-profile relationships.
Marriage to Bill O’Reilly
Maureen E. McPhilmy met Bill O’Reilly in 1992 when he was a host on the television show A Current Affair. After dating for four years, the couple got married on November 2, 1996, in a grand wedding ceremony at St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, New York.
During their marriage, they had two children:
Madeline O’Reilly (born in 1998)
Spencer O’Reilly (born in 2003)
At first, their marriage seemed strong, but over time, problems started to arise. Reports later surfaced that their relationship was troubled, with allegations of domestic abuse against O’Reilly. These claims eventually became a major issue during their divorce proceedings.
After nearly 14 years of marriage, Maureen and Bill separated in April 2010 and officially divorced on September 1, 2011. Their divorce was followed by a highly publicized custody battle, in which Maureen was ultimately granted custody of their children in 2015.
Divorce and Custody Battle
Maureen E. McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly’s marriage ended in April 2010, and their divorce was finalized on September 1, 2011. However, their separation was far from peaceful, as it led to a bitter and highly publicized custody battle over their two children, Madeline and Spencer O’Reilly.
Allegations of Domestic Abuse
During the divorce proceedings, Maureen alleged that O’Reilly had been physically abusive towards her. Reports surfaced that their daughter, Madeline, testified in court that she had witnessed O’Reilly dragging Maureen down a staircase by her neck. These allegations became a key factor in the custody case.
Custody Ruling
After a long legal battle, in 2015, the court ruled in favor of Maureen, granting her full custody of their children. The judge determined that it was in the children’s best interest to live with their mother. Despite O’Reilly’s legal efforts to reverse the decision, the ruling remained in place.
The custody battle and allegations against O’Reilly drew significant media attention, further highlighting the challenges Maureen faced in her personal life. However, after winning custody, she focused on moving forward and ensuring a stable life for her children.
New Beginnings with Jeffrey Gross
After her difficult divorce from Bill O’Reilly, Maureen E. McPhilmy found love again with Jeffrey Gross, a Nassau County police detective. Gross is a widower who was previously married to Kathleen McBride Gross, who sadly passed away due to cancer. He also has children from his previous marriage.
Maureen and Jeffrey’s relationship provided her with a fresh start, away from the intense media attention surrounding her past. Unlike her previous marriage, she has kept her personal life with Jeffrey private and out of the public eye.
Professional Life
Maureen E. McPhilmy has built a successful career as a public relations executive. She specializes in managing public image, handling media interactions, and providing strategic communication advice for individuals and organizations.
Her work in public relations involves:
- Media Relations – Helping clients manage their public appearances and media coverage.
- Crisis Management – Assisting individuals and businesses in handling negative publicity.
- Brand Promotion – Enhancing the public image of companies and professionals.
Despite gaining public attention due to her personal life, Maureen has always maintained a low profile in her career. She continues to focus on her work privately, avoiding media controversies and maintaining a professional reputation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maureen E. McPhilmy
Who is Maureen E. McPhilmy?
Maureen E. McPhilmy is a public relations executive best known for being the ex-wife of former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. She has built a successful career in PR while maintaining a private life.
When was Maureen E. McPhilmy born?
She was born on May 11, 1966, in Chittenango, New York, USA.
What does Maureen McPhilmy do for a living?
She works as a public relations executive, helping individuals and businesses manage their public image and media relations.
When did Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly get married?
Maureen and Bill O’Reilly got married on November 2, 1996.
Why did Maureen McPhilmy and Bill O’Reilly divorce?
They divorced in 2011 after 14 years of marriage, with reports of domestic abuse allegations against O’Reilly playing a major role in their split.
How many children does Maureen McPhilmy have?
She has two children with Bill O’Reilly: Madeline O’Reilly (born in 1998) and Spencer O’Reilly (born in 2003).
Conclusion
Maureen E. McPhilmy is a successful public relations executive who gained public attention due to her marriage and divorce from Bill O’Reilly. Despite facing challenges, including a highly publicized custody battle, she moved forward and found happiness with her second husband, Jeffrey Gross.
Today, she leads a private and peaceful life, focusing on her career and family. Though once in the media spotlight, Maureen prefers to stay away from public attention, choosing to live life on her own terms.
Bonus Points About Maureen E. McPhilmy
- Started as a Waitress – Before her career in public relations, Maureen worked as a waitress.
- Low Media Presence – Despite being linked to a famous personality, she keeps a private life.
- Strong Mother – She won full custody of her children after a tough legal battle.
- New Love & Stability – Found happiness again with Jeffrey Gross, a police detective.
- Career Success – Built a successful PR career, handling media and public relations for professionals.
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