Veteran Journalist Richard Cohen Passes Away at 76
Richard Cohen, a respected journalist and the husband of Meredith Vieira, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 76. Cohen, who lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for over 50 years and survived two cancer diagnoses, was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, including Vieira and their three children—Lily, 32, Gabriel, 34, and Benjamin, 36.
The news of Cohen’s death was shared on the Today show on Tuesday, January 7. Hoda Kotb mentioned that the family had been deeply concerned about his health around Thanksgiving but were grateful to have spent a meaningful final month with him.
Savannah Guthrie added that Vieira was in good spirits, recalling the couple as “fun, entertaining, and irreverent.”
A Love Story of Resilience
Cohen and Vieira’s 38-year marriage was marked by their shared strength and humor through life’s challenges. Diagnosed with MS at 25, Cohen disclosed his condition to Vieira on their second date. Her response set the tone for their relationship: “It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me off,” she said.
Vieira became Cohen’s unwavering supporter, standing by him as he transitioned from his reporting career at CBS News to becoming an advocate for individuals living with MS.
The couple leaned on radical honesty and humor to navigate the complexities of chronic illness. “We allow each other to vent,” Vieira shared in 2018. “It’s good to say it, but we don’t dwell.”
Cohen’s illness also influenced Vieira’s career decisions. She stepped away from her role as co-host of Today in 2011 to spend more time with her husband and their children. “Time is one of those weird things,” Vieira said during her departure. “You can never get enough of it. I know I want to spend more of mine with my husband, Richard, and my kids.”
A Life of Challenges and Hope
Cohen’s life was defined by his perseverance in the face of health challenges. In addition to living with MS, which left him legally blind toward the end of his life, he survived two battles with colon cancer and overcame a blood clot in his lung.
Despite these hardships, Cohen remained a steadfast advocate for hope. In his 2018 memoir, Chasing Hope: A Patient’s Deep Dive into Stem Cells, Faith, and the Future, Cohen wrote about his determination to remain hopeful and his belief in the possibility of a cure for MS. “I want to have a long-term relationship with hope,” he wrote. “Perhaps I need a lot of the stuff.”
He also reflected on the impact of chronic illness on families, acknowledging the burdens it places on loved ones. “Chronic illness is a family affair,” he wrote. “Spouses have the burden of tending to the needs of a loved one, even when they would secretly rather push him out a window.”
A Legacy of Courage and Love
Throughout his life, Cohen demonstrated remarkable resilience and an enduring commitment to his family. His partnership with Vieira served as a testament to the power of love, humor, and mutual support in overcoming life’s adversities.
Richard Cohen’s life and legacy continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of hope, perseverance, and the strength of family bonds.
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