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He was 20.
She was 19.
They had met as teenagers.
Donny has said that Debbie initially dated his brother Jay before he eventually convinced her to give him a chance.
Almost five decades later, they are still together.
In May 2026, the couple celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
Donny marked the occasion publicly by describing Debbie as his best friend and expressing that he would choose her again.
For someone whose professional life has involved constant travel, performances and public attention, Donny has frequently described Debbie as the person who provided stability.
That stability became increasingly important as their family grew.
Five Sons Changed Their Priorities
Donny and Debbie became parents to five sons.
Their oldest is Donald Jr.
Then came Jeremy, Brandon, Christopher and Joshua.
While the Osmond name created an obvious connection to entertainment, the boys grew into adults with interests and careers of their own.
Some have worked in creative fields.
Others pursued professions outside the entertainment industry.
Donny has frequently emphasized that being a husband and father mattered more to him than maintaining a celebrity image.
That philosophy influenced where the family wanted to live.
And eventually, Utah became the place that made the most sense.
The Family Moved Around Before Returning Home
Donny’s career required considerable travel.
The family lived in California.
Work connected with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat also took them to cities including Toronto and Chicago.
For a family raising five children, moving around could become exhausting.
Eventually, Donny and Debbie returned to Utah.
Provo became their long-term home base.
For Donny, the appeal went beyond scenery or real estate.
It offered something the entertainment business could not.