Donnie Wahlberg Beams in Rare Pic with Autistic Stepson He Raised after Bio Dad Left the Boy

• Since marrying Hollywood actress Jenny McCarthy, Donnie Wahlberg became the stepfather to her autistic son Evan Asher.
• McCarthy was previously married to John Asher, and they welcomed Evan in 2002 but divorced when he was just three years old.
• McCarthy shared a rare picture of Wahlberg and her son on Father's Day this year.

"Dirty Love" star Jenny McCarthy has been married to musician, producer, and actor Donnie Wahlberg since 2014. Since the pair married, Wahlberg instantly stepped up to become a stepfather to her autistic son, Evan Asher, who she shares with her ex-husband, American actor John Asher.

On Father's Day this year, McCarthy posted an adoring picture of herself, her son, and Wahlberg, who were joined by her sister and father playing golf. In the photo, a beaming Wahlberg holds onto his beloved wife while his stepson smiles widely as he poses next to his aunt. The commemoration was dedicated to McCarthy's father and husband, Wahlberg, whom she called GOATS (Greatest Of All Time).

How Jenny McCarthy's Ex, John Asher, Left Her After Evan's Diagnosis

Before she met and married her current husband, Wahlberg, McCarthy met her ex-husband, Asher, on the set of the 1999 film "Diamonds," which he directed her in. A couple of months later, in September of the same year, they tied the knot. Their son Evan was just three years old when they divorced after six years of marriage.

McCarthy's publicist announced that the ex-couple had filed for divorce based on irreconcilable differences. According to McCarthy's account, their marriage became rocky when the ex-couple first found out that their son was diagnosed with autism.

In 2007, after her memoir "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism" was published, McCarthy gave People magazine exclusive insight into what was going on in her life with her then-marriage to Asher and their son's health. Her book tells the story of a doting mother at her wit's end navigating a journey to hope through trying to balance tending to her autistic son and a marriage that was severely strained beyond repair.

After baby Evan suffered a series of life-threatening seizures when he was two and a half years old, a panicked McCarthy disclosed that she was never the same woman from that moment on. While revisiting the morning that Evan was diagnosed with autism, McCarthy vividly recalled the day she received the heartbreaking news about her son after doctors had already confirmed he had epilepsy.

McCarthy may have endured a challenging time raising her autistic son as a single mother after her ex-husband left them, but she finally found her prince charming in Wahlberg.

Though her baby had been diagnosed, McCarthy had an inkling that epilepsy was not all there was to Evan's frequent seizures and medication-induced manic and comatose behavior. Thus, she made an additional appointment with a UCLA neurologist, and following the frantic wrap-up of a magazine shoot, the mama bear sped to the doctor's office with Evan:

"I threw on sweats and raced to the doctor's office with Evan. A sweet older man walked in, [and] I started telling him about the seizures; he listened closely but had his eye on Evan, then he pulled his chair up to mine and put his hand on my hand... looked at me with sorrowful eyes and said, 'I'm sorry, your son has autism."

While dealing with an autistic son, her marriage with Asher worsened due to the strain caused by her devotion to Evan. According to McCarthy, Asher started to become angry because he felt ignored. Unfortunately, the relationship was past the point of resolution because he eventually opted to move out before they divorced, leaving her to raise Evan alone.

How Donnie Walhberg Became Evan's Devoted Stepdad

For a while, McCarthy was a single mother, trying her best to raise an autistic son and maintain a steady career. However, everything changed for the better when she met Wahlberg. After dating for some time, Wahlberg popped the question in 2014.

How the "Blue Bloods" talent proposed had fans of the couple swooning. During an episode of "The View," while McCarthy was still appearing as a co-host, the giddy actress could not contain her excitement about the wonderful news.

While telling viewers and her fellow hosts the story of how it all went down, it was revealed that Wahlberg thoughtfully included her adored son, Evan, in the momentous occasion. The couple was relaxing at home one weekend when Wahlberg suddenly got up from the couch and disappeared from the room. Evan then entered the room three consecutive times, each time holding cards that spelled out: Will You Marry -.

Upon the last entry, Wahlberg returned with Evan and got down on bended knee with a shirt with a print of the word Me on it and a massive diamond ring. Not having to think twice, McCarthy immediately responded with a yes and referred to herself as the luckiest girl in the world.

Of the bond Wahlberg shares with Evan, McCarthy confirms how much her husband adores her son. The relationship between Walhberg and his stepson was something that McCarthy admitted she worried slightly about as a single mother who was anxious about the possibility of finding love again, not just for herself but for Evan too. However, Wahlberg passed the kid test, and the two have grown a very special bond ever since:

"There [are] no words that actually even come close to the meaning that I feel. I'm most thankful for his unconditional love. And not only for me though, to my son [as well]."

Wahlberg has not only stepped up as a stepfather to Evan but has absolutely triumphed at this role. During a conversation with Page Six, McCarthy spoke about a heartwarming gift Wahlberg gave her and Evan for a past Christmas. Doting stepfather Wahlberg covered all of Evan's college tuition expenses, and McCarthy struggled to hold back tears while recounting the beautiful moment:

"I lost it because, you know, I was so worried if I would have enough money by the time he'd be able to go [to college], and you know, [Wahlberg] kind of covered the bills and therapy. [He said], 'I see that you're hurting in this area of your life. I love Evan, and I want to do this for you both."

McCarthy may have endured a challenging time raising her autistic son as a single mother after her ex-husband left them, but she finally found her prince charming in Wahlberg. The doting husband and stepfather have been, and continue being an amazing caregiver to Evan, and the two's close bond continues to get stronger as time goes on.

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