Richard Cohen Death – Richard Cohen, Husband of Meredith Vieira, Passes Away After Long Battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Renowned journalist and author Richard Cohen, the husband of former TODAY anchor Meredith Vieira, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 76.
Cohen, a veteran of CBS News, lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than five decades and also survived two cancer diagnoses during his lifetime.
Cohen was diagnosed with MS at the age of 25, a moment he described as life-altering. “Diagnosed and adios. Nothing much we can do,” Cohen shared during a 2018 appearance on TODAY alongside Vieira.
Despite the grim prognosis, he used his platform to advocate for those living with chronic illnesses, writing several books about his health experiences and encouraging openness.
“I think too many people stay closed and don’t tell the truth,” Cohen said during a 2014 TODAY interview, emphasizing the importance of sharing one’s struggles.
Cohen and Vieira’s love story was marked by resilience and mutual support. He disclosed his MS diagnosis to Vieira on their second date, a moment that set the tone for their enduring partnership.
“I sort of learned the hard way to get it on the table,” Cohen once explained. Vieira, unfazed, recalled, “It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me off,” adding that she believed in embracing life’s unpredictability.
The couple shared 38 years of marriage and were parents to three children: sons Ben and Gabe, and daughter Lily. Their family bond was a central part of their lives, and Vieira often spoke about her desire to prioritize time with her loved ones. When she left her role at TODAY in 2011, she cited her commitment to spending more time with Cohen and their children.
“Time is one of those weird things. You can never get enough of it, and it just keeps ticking away. And I know that I want to spend more of mine with my husband, Richard, and my kids,” Vieira said during her departure from the show.
Cohen’s life and work inspired many, and his courage in the face of chronic illness and adversity left a lasting legacy. His passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, and the countless individuals he touched through his advocacy and storytelling. Richard Cohen obituary and Funeral Arrangements will be Released by the Family