Phyllis Minkoff is an American public relations expert who became famous as the first wife of TV host Maury Povich. However, her life story goes far beyond being married to a celebrity. She built her own successful career, raised four daughters, and spent many years helping political and social causes. This article tells the complete story of a strong woman who worked hard to make a difference in her own quiet way.
Detailed Bio Table
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phyllis Minkoff |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1941 |
| Age | 83 years old (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Public Relations and Communications Expert |
| Father’s Name | Hyman Joseph Minkoff |
| Mother’s Name | Ida Minkoff |
| Siblings | Larry Minkoff (Brother) |
| First Husband | Maury Povich (married 1962-1979) |
| Second Husband | Phillip Baskin (married 1980-2005) |
| Children | Susan Anne Povich, Amy Joyce Povich, Shoshana Nudel, Janice Gondelman |
| Current Residence | Greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million |
Early Life and Family Background
Phyllis Minkoff was born on February 15, 1941, in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. She grew up in a loving family with her parents, Hyman Joseph Minkoff and Ida Minkoff, and her brother Larry Minkoff.
Her father owned a popular liquor store called Acme Liquors, which opened in 1940, just before Phyllis was born. Growing up in a business family taught Phyllis important lessons about hard work, talking to customers, and building relationships with people.
Living in Washington, D.C. also meant she was surrounded by politics, media, and government work from an early age. Phyllis was a smart and thoughtful child who showed interest in communication and helping others. She liked working behind the scenes rather than being in the spotlight.
Building a Career in Public Relations
Phyllis Minkoff built a strong career in public relations and communications. Although she never talked much about the specific companies she worked for, people who knew her work said she was very skilled.
Public relations experts help people and companies create good images, handle difficult situations, and communicate clearly with the public. Phyllis had a special talent for understanding people and knowing how to share messages that made sense.
In the 1960s and 1970s, when many women were expected to stay at home, Phyllis chose to work professionally. She showed confidence and grace in a time when it was not easy for women to build careers.
Political Involvement and Women’s Rights
Beyond her work in public relations, Phyllis was deeply involved in politics and social causes. She was a member of the Women’s Liberation Front, a group that fought for women’s rights and equality.
In 2016, Phyllis strongly supported Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president of the United States. She believed in the importance of having women in leadership positions. She also worked with other famous politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders and Joe Kennedy III.
For Phyllis, communication was not just a job but a tool to create positive change in society. She believed that clear messages could help fight for gender equality and improve communities.
Marriage to Maury Povich
In 1962, Phyllis Minkoff married Maurice Richard Povich, who everyone knows as Maury Povich. At that time, Maury was working as a news reporter and was building his television career. They met in Washington, D.C., where both were working in media circles.
Their marriage lasted 17 years, from 1962 to 1979. During this time, they had two daughters together: Susan Anne Povich, born in 1964, and Amy Joyce Povich. Phyllis supported Maury as his career grew from local news to national television fame.
However, being married to someone focused on building a TV career was not easy. In a 2022 interview, Maury admitted that he made a “terrible mistake” by putting his work before his family. He said that not spending enough time with Phyllis and their daughters was wrong.
The couple divorced in 1979 after 17 years together. Although the end of their marriage was difficult, both moved forward with their lives. The exact reasons for their divorce remained private, and both handled the situation with respect.
Second Marriage and Family Life
After her divorce from Maury in 1979, Phyllis took time to heal and rebuild her life. In 1980, she married Phillip Baskin, who was a lawyer and city councilman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
With Phillip, Phyllis had two more daughters: Shoshana Nudel and Janice Gondelman. This meant that Phyllis was now a mother to four daughters in total. She balanced her career in communications with raising her children and supporting her husband’s work.
Sadly, Phillip Baskin developed Alzheimer’s disease, a serious illness that affects memory and thinking. He passed away in 2005 after battling the disease. During this difficult time, Phyllis showed incredible strength as a wife, mother, and caregiver.
Her Four Daughters
Phyllis Minkoff is the proud mother of four successful daughters. Each daughter has built her own successful life and career.
Susan Anne Povich (from first marriage) – Susan chose to work in the field of law. She is married to Ralph Gorham, who designs motorcycles.
Amy Joyce Povich (from first marriage) – Amy was inspired by her father’s television work but decided to become an actress instead of a TV host. She is married to Dr. David Agus, a well-known physician.
Shoshana Nudel (from second marriage) – Phyllis’s third daughter from her marriage to Phillip Baskin.
Janice Gondelman (from second marriage) – Phyllis’s fourth daughter from her marriage to Phillip Baskin.
All four daughters grew up to be independent and successful, which shows the strong values Phyllis taught them.
Helping Others Through Charity Work
Throughout her life, Phyllis has been committed to helping others. She donated money and time to many nonprofit organizations and animal shelters across the United States.
She believed in giving back to the community and supporting those in need. Phyllis also participated in Planned Parenthood projects, which provide health services and education to families.
Her approach to helping others was quiet and steady. She did not seek attention for her good deeds but simply did what she believed was right. This humble approach earned her respect from many people.
Current Life and Net Worth
As of 2025, Phyllis Minkoff is 84 years old and lives in the Greater Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. She has lived a full life filled with professional success, family love, and meaningful work helping others.
Her estimated net worth is around $1 million, which she earned through her years of hard work in public relations and communications. While this is much less than her ex-husband Maury’s $80 million, Phyllis never chased money or fame.
Today, Phyllis continues to live privately, away from media attention. She enjoys spending time with her daughters and grandchildren and remains involved in causes she cares about.
Conclusion
Phyllis Minkoff is much more than just “Maury Povich’s first wife.” She is a communications expert, a political advocate, a mother of four, a charity supporter, and a woman who lived life on her own terms.
Her quiet strength, professional success, and commitment to helping others created a legacy worth remembering. While many people only know her because of her famous ex-husband, her own story deserves to be told.
Phyllis Minkoff showed that you do not need fame to make an impact. Sometimes the most important work happens behind the scenes, done by people who care more about results than recognition.
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