Richard Cohen, the husband of veteran journalist Meredith Vieira, has passed away at the age of 76. His death occurred on Christmas Eve, and the announcement was made during the January 7 episode of the Today show by co-host Hoda Kotb.
Cohen was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, which included his beloved wife and their three children — Benjamin (36), Gabriel (34), and Lily (32). Kotb expressed the family's sentiment during the broadcast, noting, "He was surrounded by his family and love." Fellow host Savannah Guthrie shared with viewers, "She’s [Vieira] in really good spirits,” highlighting the enduring bond between the couple. "She was such a beautiful and devoted wife to Richard and he adored Meredith. And hanging out with them, they were like the most fun and entertaining, irreverent, cool couple you could hang out with," Guthrie added.
Cohen, who was also an accomplished Emmy-winning journalist, battled multiple sclerosis for over 50 years, being diagnosed at just 25. According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple sclerosis (MS) is “a disease causing breakdown of the protective covering of nerves,” leading to symptoms such as vision changes and numbness. Cohen's lifelong struggle with MS intertwined with periods of significant health challenges, including two battles with colon cancer he faced early on, which he was diagnosed with twice, first in 1999 and again the following year.
Reflecting on his condition, Cohen was open about his health challenges, often sharing anecdotes from his life with MS. He once recounted, "I dropped a coffeepot for no reason. I fell off a curb for no reason." He attributed much of his initial denial about his illness to his active lifestyle. "I was living in denial," he told Yahoo Lifestyle back in 2019.
Interestingly, Cohen disclosed his MS diagnosis to Vieira during their second date, stating he learned the hard way about the importance of being upfront about his illness. "I told her about the illness, because I sort of learned the hard way to get it on the table, and she really didn’t blink,” he recalled. Vieira, who has always adopted the perspective of seizing the moment, affirmed, “I’ve always been of the school of thought you could get hit by a bus the next day. It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me off.”
A long-time advocate for those living with MS, Cohen spoke about the importance of adjusting to living with the condition rather than succumbing to it. He emphasized resilience, stating, "You don’t have to be controlled by it. I can give you a long list of things I can’t do anymore. You just sort of learn to accept. I look at our three kids, I look at our relationship, I’ve written four books ... what do I have to complain about?” This spirited acceptance served as both inspiration and comfort for those similarly facing health battles.
Cohen's narrative intertwined not just with his health challenges but also his contributions as a journalist. He worked for CBS News and was recognized for his Emmy-winning productions. He authored three books, offering insight and anecdotes from his life, including "Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness: A Reluctant Memoir" and "Strong at the Broken Places."
Meredith Vieira, born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, served as co-anchor of Today until 2011 and has had a celebrated career including moderations on The View and the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Their 38-year marriage produced three children who shared their father’s warmth and dynamism during his last days.
Descendants of such love and strength, Vieira and her family expressed gratitude for the additional time they were able to share with Cohen over the recent holiday season. Kotb noted how they initially feared losing him early but ended up with “a glorious month with their dad.”
The life and legacy of Richard Cohen resonate through the lives he touched, through both personal and professional avenues. His story exemplifies not only the challenges faced by individuals with chronic illnesses but also the power of family and unwavering love through adversity. The support system he built with Vieira and their children will undoubtedly continue to inspire others facing similar trials.
Cohen’s passing marks the end of an era for Vieira, who has always celebrated the joy they found together. The enduring message from his life may remain prominent: acceptance is allowing oneself to navigate life, regardless of the obstacles presented. The mourning will inevitably be accompanied by gratitude for the lasting memories they created as family.