Donna Smilovitz, the wife of Detroit sportscaster Bernie Smilovitz, died very suddenly in October 2023 after experiencing what was described as a sudden blood clot in the middle of the night.

Quick Scoop: What Happened

  • Bernie’s wife was Dr. Donna Rockwell Smilovitz, a psychologist and media personality, and they had been married for about 38 years.
  • According to a column by Mitch Albom and Bernie’s own on-air remarks, she woke up saying her heart was racing, and within minutes she passed away from a sudden blood clot.
  • Bernie has described this as the worst week of his life and spoke on Local 4 about how unexpected and shocking her passing was.
  • Colleagues and friends at WDIV/Local 4 and in the wider media community publicly shared condolences and tributes, highlighting her impact on their family and on others through her work.

“12 days ago, my dear wife of 38 years passed away suddenly, and just like that, our plans for now and the future were gone.” – Bernie Smilovitz on Local 4.

There have been no credible reports suggesting anything other than a sudden medical cause (the blood clot) as described by those closest to her, so speculation beyond that would not be supported by available public information.

TL;DR: Bernie Smilovitz’s wife, Dr. Donna Rockwell, died suddenly in October 2023 from what was described as a sudden blood clot after she woke up feeling her heart racing; it was an unexpected medical emergency, and Bernie has spoken movingly on TV and in print about his grief and her legacy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.