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Introduction
Donny Osmond’s journey to marrying his wife of 47 years, Debbie, involved some unexpected family competition. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Osmond revealed a surprising detail about their early romance: “She dated my brother, and I stole her from my brother. That’s a true story.” The pivotal moment occurred during a double date to an Elton John concert, where Donny was with his girlfriend, Tammy, and Debbie was with his brother, Jay. As Elton John began to sing “Your Song,” Donny had a moment of clarity. He looked over at his brother’s date and thought, “I think I’m going to marry that girl someday.” And he did.
Their connection, however, goes back much further. Osmond shared that he first met Debbie when she was just three years old and he was five. The meeting was a chance encounter at an airport in Billings, Montana, where Debbie’s family was waiting for a relative. They spotted the Osmond brothers and Andy Williams, and asked for their autographs. “So I met her when she was 3 and I was 5,” he said. The couple married in 1978 and have five sons: Don, Jeremy, Brandon, Chris, and Josh. Osmond describes their life together as “a lifetime of bliss,” praising Debbie’s patience, especially during his time on “Dancing with the Stars.” He credits their strong relationship to their initial friendship, which formed a solid foundation for their marriage.
Beyond his family life, Osmond also spoke about his enduring career and his current residency at Harrah’s in Las Vegas. The show features a unique technological element: a younger version of himself, played by his grandson, Daxton. Watching the final product was an emotional experience for Osmond, who was amazed to see his younger self brought to life. He was equally impressed with Daxton’s natural stage presence and professionalism. While he let his son, Brandon, handle most of the coaching, Osmond was proud to see his grandson already following in his footsteps.
Osmond, a seasoned entertainer, also reflected on the best advice he’s received, which came from legendary figures like Sammy Davis Jr. Davis once told him, “Don’t ever stop getting nervous,” explaining that the day a performer stops feeling butterflies is the day they lose their passion. Osmond believes this is what keeps his performances fresh, particularly during the improv segment of his Vegas show where he performs any song from his 65 albums. His own advice to aspiring entertainers is to work hard and stay grounded: “Don’t believe your own hype. When the curtain closes, you’re just a normal person. Come back down to earth.” This disciplined work ethic has been the key to his longevity in the industry, helping him successfully navigate the difficult transition from teen idol to mature performer.