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Donny Osmond Was a Virgin When He Married His Wife — She 'Did Not Like' Him Initially

Olawale Ogunjimi
Mar 20, 2022
04:40 A.M.

Donny Osmond, the most handsome of the Osmond brothers, did not want to be everybody's heartthrob. So despite the fame, he kept his virginity for his wife, who did not like him initially. Today they have the most inspiring love story.

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Donny Osmond's years as an impressive performer began early. At age 5, the groovy singer already shared the stage with his older brothers.

Before becoming an adult, he had established a tremendous solo career and soon became a teen idol. Now a family man and a grandparent, the singer revealed that his early fame did not shield him from loneliness.

[Left] Donny Osmond and wife Debbie in New York City, circa 1982. [Right] Donny Osmond and Debbie Osmond attend the launch of Donny Osmond Home on September 23, 2013, in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

[Left] Donny Osmond and wife Debbie in New York City, circa 1982. [Right] Donny Osmond and Debbie Osmond attend the launch of Donny Osmond Home on September 23, 2013, in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images

Osmond admitted that amid the popularity he enjoyed, his time away from home in his hotel room taught him all about loneliness.

Another struggle he faced as a teen idol was feeling rejected. He revealed that it was difficult to get a record deal or even arrested.

Donny Osmond performs on stage in 1972. | Source: Getty Images

Donny Osmond performs on stage in 1972. | Source: Getty Images

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Initially, Osmond was overwhelmed by his audiences' love; sadly, it slowed down in the 1980s. In 1989, he made a comeback with the hit song "Soldier Of Love" and was a cast member of a stage production.

However, that merely fixed his problem, as Osmond had lost his youthful confidence and was anxious to be perfect. Thankfully, his wife Debra talked him into delivering an average performance, which was the magic he needed!

Donny Osmond circa 1978. | Source: Getty Images

Donny Osmond circa 1978. | Source: Getty Images

The "Soldier of Love" star will not only be remembered for his brilliant comeback, which he has been able to maintain for decades, but also his lifestyle.

Osmond was not the regular young adult celebrity saddled with a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, or partying. Instead, he kept a squeaky clean image, adhering to his Mormon religion, which shaped his reality.

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However, the press was not having any of it. He got bullied by a Rolling Stone magazine that scripted the unprintable following his well-mannered nature.

American singer and actor Donny Osmond and wife, Debbie, at the premiere of the film, 'Goin' Coconuts,' Los Angeles, California, in October 1978. | Source: Getty Images

American singer and actor Donny Osmond and wife, Debbie, at the premiere of the film, 'Goin' Coconuts,' Los Angeles, California, in October 1978. | Source: Getty Images

It contributed to a decline in his career. Even after getting signed to a record label and producing some tracks, a few radio stations objected to airing his songs, and when they did, they never gave him credit for it.

At one point, his former publicist advised him to get involved in a drug scandal. But the singer refused. Today, he remains thankful for staying true to his beliefs rather than succumbing to the bullies.

Osmond is still loyal to his faith and has a wife who supports his ideals. In addition, they team up for a healthy lifestyle, including taking proper care of their bodies.

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DONNY OSMOND MET HIS WIFE WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH HIS BROTHER

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Osmond crossed Debbie's path when he was a 15-year-old boy. While he had an impressive music career singing alongside his brothers, Debbie was every boy's dream in town, the scintillating cheerleader.

However, she was not open to dating him, as the cheerleading princess was romantically involved with his brother, Jay.

It did not bother Osmond, who vowed that he would marry her someday. After making several attempts for a date, she eventually agreed, and he successfully whisked her away from his brother.

Donny Osmond and Debbie Osmond at the launch of Donny Osmond Home on September 23, 2013, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Donny Osmond and Debbie Osmond at the launch of Donny Osmond Home on September 23, 2013, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

After breaking the unspoken brotherly code, they dated for three years before getting married in 1978. Since then, they have been married for more than four decades and have successfully created a loveable family, including five children and several grandkids.

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While speaking on the genesis of their relationship, Debbie confessed that it was not love at first sight. Still, she became endeared to the singer following his gentleman behaviors: he often brought her flowers and treated her kindly.

In Osmond's version, his wife did not like him at first. He complained that "she made" him "chase her," adding that she loved David Cassidy and had his picture on her wall.

Portrait of singer Donny Osmond at the Chicago Recording Company promoting his album in Chicago, Illinois, April 7, 1989. | Source: Getty Images

Portrait of singer Donny Osmond at the Chicago Recording Company promoting his album in Chicago, Illinois, April 7, 1989. | Source: Getty Images

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OSMOND EXPERIENCED FOLLOWING HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH DEBBIE

Despite the intriguing details of their relationship, when it became public, the couple faced some challenging times. Osmond had tried to hide his romance with Debbie from the teenage magazine gossip, but as soon the news broke, what he feared happened.

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Although his relationship with Debbie was a fulfilling experience, the "Soldier of Love" singer labeled it his "dark years;" some fans sent threatening letters to the new bride.

When he informed his father of the decision to follow his heart, the older Osmond patriarch explained that it could hamper his career, and it did— he became less popular after his marriage.

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THEIR WEDDING AND FANS' REACTIONS

Irrespective of his dad's scathing letters or warnings, Osmond married his beloved partner in Salt Lake LDS temple on May 8, 1978, and as expected, it stirred problems.

Following their wedding, the couple hurriedly flew to Las Vegas on a jet to attend their show that had been sold out but was disappointed as half of the singer's fans refused to attend the event.

Some other fans went the extra mile of hosting Donny Osmond records burning parties where they burned his pictures and tracks.

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As if that was not enough, Debbie read tabloids that wrote articles of how their marriage would be short-term, adding that she married him for his fortune.

It wasn't very respectful to the new bride, who was emotional after reading the news. But as the years went by, Debbie's skin thickened to the gossip and false details.

While the singer's fans were not prepared to lose him to a family life, the "Soldier of Love" star never wanted to be a heartthrob. Instead, he was content with his love life and even kept his virginity for his wife.

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DONNY OSMOND ON TRUSTING HIS DAD

Amid the glitz and glamor of fame, the Osmond brothers lived a normal lifestyle, thanks to their strict and religious parents. Osmond explained that he learned a lot from his dad, who remains his mentor.

Despite how tough the older Osmond was in raising his kids, he loved them and could predict their future accurately. The singer admitted that his father's words about a decline in fame following his marriage to Debbie were valid. Yet, his wife helped him regain his confidence and fame as a performing artist.

It took releasing his "Soldier of Love" song, which topped charts in the UK and US, and a spotlight in the acting world. The father of five constantly speaks highly of his beloved partner, pledging his eternal love for her and recounting how her support shaped him.

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DID DONNY OSMOND EVER CHEAT ON HIS WIFE?

It would be shocking to know that the religious, squeaky clean singer has been tempted to cheat on his wife, especially in Las Vegas and Ireland.

During an interview, he confessed that working five nights a week in Las Vegas, aka the sin city, makes him open to temptation from fans. In another discussion with Piers Morgan, the singer explained that he came in contact with two drunken women in the bathroom while in Ireland.

Above all, Osmond has demonstrated respect for his marriage and religion by resisting temptations. He is also a role model to five kids and has continued to uphold his moral code for more than fifty years!

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