Jenny McCarthy throws away 30 years of clothes, Donnie Wahlberg's wardrobe after mold poisoning diagnosis; here's why

Imagine having to throw away decades of clothing, including outfits worn at major red-carpet events, because you fear they could expose you to a health hazard. That is what actress and television personality Jenny McCarthy says she has gone through following her battle with mold and mycotoxin poisoning. The ordeal has also affected her husband, Donnie Wahlberg, whose entire wardrobe was reportedly discarded as the couple tried to avoid further exposure. McCarthy opened up about the drastic decision during the November 10 episode of The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show. She revealed that she had to persuade Wahlberg to part with his clothes too, while admitting that the experience had made her hesitant to spend money on replacements.

Why did Jenny McCarthy throw away her and Donnie Wahlberg's clothes?

McCarthy said she discarded nearly 30 years of clothing, including outfits connected to important moments in her career. She explained that she had been relying on inexpensive clothes purchased through TikTok Shop because she had given away almost everything she owned. "I'm afraid to spend money on clothes anymore because I had to give everything away," she said, recalling the red-carpet outfits and memories she had lost.

The decision also extended to Wahlberg. McCarthy said she had to convince her husband that his clothes needed to be discarded as well. The couple also left their furniture behind when they moved out of their Los Angeles home because she did not want to risk bringing potentially contaminated belongings with them. Speaking to autoimmune disease specialist Amy Myers on her podcast, McCarthy said she believed the exposure might have originated in a damp and musty makeup room at a Hollywood studio, where she and her makeup artist had worked for seven years.

What happened to Jenny McCarthy?

McCarthy's health problems reportedly began with persistent tooth pain in October 2024. She underwent dental procedures, but the symptoms continued. She later experienced other unexplained health problems, including infections and unusual reactions. She said she and her makeup artist eventually tested positive for mold exposure, although their symptoms were different. McCarthy said her makeup artist recovered after two months of treatment, while she was still undergoing treatment nearly 10 months later.

The actress has also spoken about the emotional impact of the experience. In a separate conversation reported by Us Weekly, she described panic and crying after fearing she had encountered mold again while staying at a Las Vegas hotel. She said she was still working through the fear and did not consider herself fully recovered.

Jenny McCarthy says she is slowly recovering

The experience has changed the couple's lifestyle, from abandoning furniture to replacing their wardrobes and reconsidering where they live. McCarthy has previously said she even spent time sleeping in a tent because she was worried about another exposure. Despite the difficult recovery, she recently offered a more hopeful update, saying, "I'm getting so much better than I was." For McCarthy, the loss goes beyond clothes and furniture. It means giving up decades of personal memories while trying to rebuild a sense of safety in everyday life.