Steve Doocy, the familiar face of Fox & Friends, is more than just a morning show host. Behind his cheerful on-screen persona is a deeply personal story of love, perseverance, and family. His wife, Kathy Gerrity Doocy, isn’t just his partner in life but also his partner in navigating some of life’s toughest challenges. The couple met in the mid-1980s while working at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where Kathy was a reporter and former model. Their connection was instant, and they married in 1986, building a life together that would later be tested in ways they never imagined.
All About Steve Doocy’s Wife, Kathy Gerrity, Their 3 Kids, and Her Illness
Kathy’s life took a dramatic turn in 2015 when a routine eye exam revealed something terrifying. A small freckle on her eye turned out to be ocular melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer. The diagnosis came just before a planned vacation to Florida, turning what should have been a relaxing trip into a frantic search for treatment.
She underwent radiation therapy at Philadelphia’s Wills Eye Hospital, a grueling process that left her with lasting side effects, including vision problems and chronic pain. Yet through it all, Kathy remained determined to fight, not just for herself but for her family.
During her battle with cancer, Kathy did something unexpected. She started compiling recipes. Not just any recipes, but their most cherished meals, the kind that evoke memories and comfort. She feared she might not survive, and she wanted her kids to have these pieces of her, no matter what happened. What began as a personal project soon turned into something much bigger.
Steve and Kathy decided to turn these recipes into a book, and The Happy Cookbook was born. It wasn’t just a collection of dishes; it was a testament to hope, love, and the power of loved ones. The book became a New York Times bestseller, and the couple later released more cookbooks, donating portions of the proceeds to eye cancer research.
The Doocys have three kids, each carving out their own paths in life. Their son, Peter Doocy, 37, is perhaps the most well-known, having followed in his father’s footsteps as a journalist. He’s now Fox News’ White House correspondent and has made headlines himself, not just for his reporting but also for his growing family. Peter married fellow Fox Business journalist Hillary Vaughn, and the couple recently welcomed their second child, a son named George Jack, in April 2025. Their first child, Bridget, was born in 2023. Steve and Kathy have embraced grandparenthood with joy, often sharing snippets of their life as doting grandparents.
Their daughters, Mary (age undisclosed), and Sally, 31, have taken different but equally impressive paths. Mary is an attorney, proving that the Doocys isn’t just about media. Sally works at Fox News as a sales planner, showing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Despite their busy careers, they remains close-knit, often gathering for meals that likely feature recipes from their now-famous cookbooks.
The Doocys have faced more than just Kathy’s cancer battle. Life has thrown other hardships their way. Steve lost his mother, JoAnn, unexpectedly on Christmas morning in 1997, a tragedy that shook the family. His father, Jim, passed away in 2014 from a burst aortic aneurysm, another devastating blow. Even their beloved golden retriever, Charlie, succumbed to cancer, a loss that hit them hard. These experiences have shaped their life, teaching them to cherish every moment and lean on each other during tough times.
In 2022, the Doocys faced another health scare when Steve, Kathy, and Peter all contracted COVID-19. For Kathy, a cancer survivor with a compromised immune system, the virus was especially dangerous. Thankfully, with medical care and caution, they all recovered. As of 2025, Kathy remains cancer-free, though she continues to monitor her health closely. Her journey has made her an advocate for early detection and regular check-ups, something she openly discusses to help others.
What stands out about the Doocys is how they’ve turned adversity into something meaningful. Kathy’s cancer diagnosis could have broken them, but instead, it led to a cookbook that brings joy to countless families. Steve Doocy’s career could have kept him distant, but he’s remained a devoted husband and father. Their children, despite growing up in the spotlight, have built their own successful lives without losing sight of what matters.
