For more than 50 years, Regis Philbin and his longtime wife, Joy Philbin (née Senese), lived a life full of love and happiness. The beloved couple spent more than five decades together and shared beautiful memories with their two kids before the iconic Live alum died at age 88 on July 24, 2020. Keep scrolling to meet the late star’s spouse. 

Who Is Regis Philbin’s Wife, Joy Philbin?

Regis and Joy’s enviable love story began when they first met in 1967 after the TV personality was hired as an announcer on The Joey Bishop Show. At the time, Joy was working as an assistant to the late entertainer.

Regis and Joy Philbin
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The duo hit it off and were married in 1970. Three years later, Regis and Joy welcomed their daughter Joanna Philbin in 1973, followed by their youngest daughter, J. J. Philbin, in 1974. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host is also the loving dad of his eldest daughter, Amy Philbin, and late son Daniel Philbin from his marriage with his first wife, Catherine Faylen, from 1955 to 1968.

As Regis and Joy juggled their roles as parents, the two continued to pave success in their careers as Hollywood stars. In 1985, the dedicated wife portrayed herself in the comedy film Malibu Express, as well as 1992’s Night in the City. The auburn-haired beauty also appeared alongside Regis in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous in 2005.

Besides making fun cameos in hit blockbuster movies, Joy often filled in as a cohost on her hubby’s former hit morning show. When she wasn’t traveling the country with Regis, Joy was at home raising their two beautiful daughters.

In 2011, Regis hung up his shoes following a 28-year run on Live so he could spend the later years of his life with Joy and their children. It seems their bond only continued to get stronger as they commemorated their 50th wedding anniversary in March 2020.

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“Regis and Joy are always celebrating their marriage, but 50 years is a long time,” an insider exclusively shared with Closer Weekly in 2020. “Regis worships the ground Joy walks on. They truly are best friends. Everyone loves Regis and Joy, they’re great company, have amazing stories and they compliment each other perfectly. It’s one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages and a true love story.”

Just four months after ringing in their milestone anniversary, Regis’ family announced in an emotional statement that he died “one month shy of his 89th birthday.”

“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes,” read the statement obtained by Us Weekly. “His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him — for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.”

Regis and Joy’s love story will always be remembered.

If you’d like to honor Regis’ memory, his family kindly asks that you “make a donation to http://foodbanknyc.org/, to help people in need in his beloved New York, especially his home borough of The Bronx. Thank you.”