I’ve been fortunate and lucky enough to work part time with the Rosenthal Family for the last 2 years as their Domestic Assistant and Organizer. I help Monica with everything from organizing charming dinner parties, to helping with the kids, to all their personal shopping and styling. You probably recognize Monica from the hit TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond,” she is loveliest of wives and an ever giving philanthropist. I sat down with the mother of 2 to find out what has made her 20 year marriage last ( Husband is Phil Rosenthal, Creator and Writer of Everybody loves Raymond) , and why she can’t live without “Funny” in her life and would prefer a gin martini at the end of everyday. -THE WIFE
Name?
MONICA HORAN ROSENTHAL
Where Do you Live?
LOS ANGELES, CA
Occupation?
HOMEMAKER, PHILANTHROPIST, ACTRESS
How Many Kids Do you Have?
TWO, NOT INCLUDING MY HUSBAND
How Long Have You Been Married?
20 YEARS ON APRIL 22, 2010
Favorite Qualities in your husband?
HUMOR, INTELLIGENCE, GENEROSITY
What did you learn from your marriage that would be good advice to pass on to Others?
MARRIAGE IS A WAY OF LIFE. IT’S BEST IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHO YOU ARE & WHAT (and who!) YOU LOVE, AND TO BE AWARE OF WHAT MOTIVATES YOU. YOU MARRY BECAUSE YOU FALL IN LOVE. YOU STAY MARRIED, BECAUSE YOU BOTH WORK AT BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE AND WANT TO HELP THE OTHER PERSON TO DO THE SAME….WHILE MANAGING KIDS, YOUR FAMILIES, A HOUSEHOLD AND YOUR RESPECTIVE DREAMS (THE ONES THAT COME TRUE, THE ONES THAT DON’T, AND THE ONES THAT COME UP AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENS EITHER WAY).
How long have you been a Mother?
SINCE 1994 (15 and a a half years!)
Favorite Family Tradition?
CELEBRATING JEWISH HOLIDAYS …all the menorahs in the front window in the winter, the sukkah in the back yard in the fall, but I’m alone in that. The kids would say traveling over the winter break with our friends. My husband would say Sunday Movie Night. So the family is kind of split on tradition.
What is the one thing you wish you have known before becoming a parent?
NOTHING…WOULDN’T MATTER SINCE EVERY KID AND EVERY EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT AND CHANGING ALL THE TIME.
The most fun thing about being a mom?
FUNNY KIDS
The last time your child made you laugh?
THIS MORNING
The Invention you wish you could create to make your life easier?
A BIG BOX WITH A BUTTON YOU PUSH THAT TELLS YOU WHAT TO MAKE FOR DINNER AND HOW, IT THEN OPENS TO REVEAL ALL YOU NEED TO MAKE IT, IN PROPER PROPORTIONS.
The future parenting moments you fear?
MY KIDS EXPERIENCING LOSS
Whats the one thing you cant live without?
FUNNY PEOPLE
What is your perfect idea of happiness?
EVERYBODY CONTENT, CONTRIBUTING AND CONSCIOUS…wait, that’s NIRVANA. HAPPINESS: Phil, me and the kids laughing, talking over dinner.
What is your marked characteristic?
LIKING OTHER PEOPLE
Your idea of misery?
STUCK WITHOUT SEEING CHOICES
Your present state of mind?
GRATEFUL
Most Inspiring Book?
RAMBAM’S LADDER by Julie Salaman. Inspired and educated me about how to take our Philanthropy to the next level.
How Do You Relax?
COCKTAILS and DINNER WITH FRIENDS
What Way Do You Start the Day?
TAKE THE DOGS OUT
Greatest Hope for the Future?
EDUCATION REFORM
Words to Live By?
BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED
Biggest Personal Influence?
MY HUSBAND, PHIL
Favorite Hotel?
THE ALGONQUIN (because it makes me feel like I thought it would feel to live in New York)
Favorite Museum?
THE BARNES INSTITUTE, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. THE FRICK, THE TEL AVIV MUSEUM
Favorite Cultural Experience?
SEEING BARYSHNIKOV AT THE BROAD THEATER, ALSO THE VERSA-STYLE DANCE COMPANY AND GABRIEL CORTEZ AND DARIO SERANNO FROM GET LIT PERFORMING SPOKEN WORD POEMS FOR INNER-CITY ARTS
Favorite Flowers to fill your home with?
SEASONAL FLOWERS STANDING ALONE, NOT IN AN ARRANGEMENT, AND ORCHIDS
Favorite Florist?
MICHELLE, LARCHMONT FLORIST
Favorite Room in your house?
MY BATHROOM AND THE PUB
What is one Thing you do to conserve Energy?
DRIVE MY PRIUS
Favorite Eco Friendly Product?
CORN POLLIMER BAGS
What’s your Garden Style?
A MIX BETWEEN COUNTRY AND FORMAL…MEDITERANEAN
Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant?
MUSSO AND FRANK
Favorite Cocktail?
BEEFEATER GIN MARTINI
Day Bag?
BOTKIER (bought originally as a prop in a play)
Most frequently worn Item?
MY UGGS
What is your Style Uniform?
HAIR UP, CROPPED PANTS, BLACK FLATS AND CUTE TOP
Favorite Store?
I HATE SHOPPING
Fashion Icon?
I alternate between AUDREY HEPBURN AND DIANE KEATON
Favorite Charity?
INNER-CITY ARTS
Favorite artist?
TZODEK BEN DAVID AND RUPERT DEESE
Favorite Gift to Give?
FACIALS BY SHULA GOLDFARB, FACES EUROPEAN SKIN CARE
Fill in the Blank –Sexy is FUNNY, SMART AND CONFIDENT Dress for HOW YOU FEEL Sunday Morning Wardrobe WHATEVER FEELS LIKE PAJAMAS OR LIKE I LIVE ON THE EAST COAST. The Perfect Marriage is EVER CHANGING The Perfect Husband is NON-EXISTENT Great Sex is GREAT Etiquette is FUN SOMETIMES
1 comment so far ↓
I knew Monica when we were younger. It was nice to read this interview. She was always kind and caring and I’m not surprised that she still is. One thing she said that gave me pause was “Bloom where you are planted”.
Leave a Comment