If you’ve spent any time watching cable news over the last twenty years, you know Bill O'Reilly doesn't exactly shy away from the spotlight. He's made a career out of being the loudest guy in the "No Spin Zone." But when it comes to his private life—specifically his kids—things get a lot quieter. People often wonder, does Bill O'Reilly have a son, or is it just a daughter?
The short answer is yes. He has a son named Spencer O'Reilly.
But honestly, the story of Bill’s relationship with his son and the rest of his family is way more complicated than just a name on a birth certificate. It involves a massive, multi-year legal war that played out in the New York court system, involving allegations that sound more like a TV drama than real life.
Meet Spencer O'Reilly: The Son You Rarely See
Spencer O'Reilly was born in 2003 in Manhasset, New York. Growing up on the North Shore of Long Island, he was mostly shielded from his father’s massive fame at Fox News. While Bill was busy debating pundits and writing "Killing" books, Spencer was living the life of a typical suburban kid—well, as typical as it gets when your dad is a multi-millionaire media titan.
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Spencer isn't a little kid anymore. As of 2026, he is about 23 years old. He’s carved out a pretty impressive path for himself that has almost nothing to do with the media circus his father inhabits.
Life at Salve Regina University
Spencer ended up at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. He didn't just go there to hide out; he was a standout student-athlete. Standing at a whopping 6'5" and weighing over 200 pounds, he played defense for the Seahawks lacrosse team.
He graduated as part of the Class of 2025, majoring in Political Science. You might think he’d follow his dad into the punditry business, but Spencer has expressed a desire to work in public service, specifically looking toward internships and roles in Washington D.C. He’s also been involved in things like the Irish Heritage Society and the National Honors Society.
Basically, he seems like a grounded guy who likes the beach, fishing, and photography.
The Messy Reality of the O'Reilly Family Split
You can't really talk about Bill O'Reilly’s son without talking about the divorce that rocked their world. Bill married Maureen McPhilmy in 1996. For a long time, they were the picture of a successful New York family. They had a daughter, Madeline (born in 1998), and then Spencer five years later.
Then everything fell apart in 2010.
The separation was anything but "conscious uncoupling." It was a scorched-earth legal battle. For years, the public only caught glimpses of the drama through sealed court documents and leaked transcripts.
The Custody War
By 2011, Bill and Maureen were officially divorced. Initially, they tried to share custody, but that didn't last. The tension became so thick you could cut it with a knife. There were allegations that Bill tried to use his influence with the local police to investigate Maureen’s new partner, and even weirder reports that he tried to get her excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
The breaking point for the kids, including Spencer, came during the height of the custody battle.
In 2016, a New York appeals court ruled that both children—Madeline and Spencer—would live full-time with their mother. This wasn't just a random decision by a judge. The court cited the "clearly stated preferences" of the children themselves.
According to court transcripts, Madeline (Spencer's older sister) reportedly told a forensic examiner that she witnessed her father being physically aggressive toward her mother.
While Bill has 100% denied these claims, the court found the children’s testimony and the "quality of the home environment" provided by their mother to be the deciding factors. For a guy who often lectured about the "disintegration of the American family," the loss of residential custody was a massive, public blow.
Where is the Relationship Now?
Relationships between high-profile parents and their adult children are always tricky. For Spencer, who is now an adult in his early 20s, the "custody" part of the story is over. He’s his own man.
He has three siblings in total: his biological sister Madeline, and two half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage to Jeffrey Gross, a Long Island police detective.
Does Bill see his son?
While Bill O'Reilly is much more private about his family these days, he has occasionally mentioned his kids in passing on his digital show, No Spin News. However, the "parental warfare" of the 2010s clearly left a mark. Spencer seems to have stayed close with his mother, Maureen, while keeping a respectful distance from his father’s public controversies.
It’s worth noting that even after the custody loss, Bill continued to fight legal battles against his ex-wife's lawyers for years. It’s the kind of long-term conflict that usually makes family dinners pretty awkward.
What Most People Get Wrong About Spencer
There’s a common misconception that Spencer is some sort of "mini-Bill" waiting in the wings to take over a media empire. From everything we can see, that’s just not true.
- He’s not a media personality: Unlike the children of other Fox News legends, Spencer hasn't sought out a platform.
- He’s an athlete first: His college career was defined by lacrosse and academic honors, not political hot takes.
- He values privacy: Aside from his university’s athletic roster, you won't find Spencer O'Reilly chasing clout on TikTok or Instagram.
Honestly, it's kinda refreshing. In an era where every "nepo baby" is trying to launch a podcast or a clothing line, Bill O'Reilly's son seems content to live a life centered on public service and personal interests.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the O'Reilly Saga
The story of Bill O'Reilly’s son is a reminder that even the most powerful people in the world can't always control their own household. If you’re following this story because you’re interested in the family dynamics of public figures, the "actionable" takeaway is pretty simple:
- Check the sources: A lot of what you read about Spencer online is based on old court documents from 2016. He’s an adult now with his own career and life.
- Respect the boundaries: The children of public figures didn't choose the spotlight. Spencer’s move toward public service suggests he wants to contribute to society on his own terms.
- Separate the art from the artist: (Or the pundit from the parent). You can agree or disagree with Bill O'Reilly’s politics, but his family life is a separate, much more human tragedy that many families go through, just with more lawyers involved.
Spencer O'Reilly is currently focused on his post-grad life and his aspirations in Washington D.C. Whether he eventually steps into the public eye or continues his path in public service, he’s definitely more than just "Bill O'Reilly's son."
If you're looking for more updates on Spencer's professional moves, keep an eye on D.C. public service rosters rather than cable news lineups. He seems to be heading for the "Zone" where he can actually make a difference, rather than just talking about it.
Practical Next Step: If you're interested in how high-profile divorces affect public figures' careers, you might want to look into the 2016 New York Appellate Division filings. They offer a rare, unvarnished look at how the court balances the "best interests of the child" against the rights of a high-earning parent. It’s a fascinating, if sobering, read for anyone interested in family law or celebrity culture.