Richard Cohen, Emmy-Winning Journalist and Meredith Vieira’s Husband, Dies at 76

Richard Cohen, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and husband of former “Today” anchor Meredith Vieira, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 76. Cohen, who had lived with multiple sclerosis for over 50 years, passed away surrounded by his family, according to Vieira’s representatives.

Cohen’s death was announced during Tuesday’s episode of NBC’s “Today” by co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. Kotb shared that Cohen’s family had gathered around Thanksgiving, fearing his health was declining, but were able to spend a “glorious month” with him before his passing. Guthrie added that Vieira was in “really good spirits” and that the family recently welcomed a new grandchild.

Cohen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 25 and became a vocal advocate for those living with chronic illnesses. He authored several books, including his 2004 memoir “Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness: A Reluctant Memoir,” which detailed his health journey. He also survived two bouts of cancer and was legally blind due to MS.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as fatigue, mobility issues, and vision problems. While the cause of MS remains unknown, it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The disease is incurable but treatable, and most people with MS have a normal life expectancy.

Cohen’s career spanned decades, earning him three Emmy Awards for his work at CBS News before moving to CNN. He also worked at PBS and ABC and wrote a health column for The New York Times. Beyond his professional achievements, Cohen was remembered for his sense of humor and resilience. “You don’t have to be controlled by it,” he once said of MS. “I look at our three kids, I look at our relationship, I’ve written four books … what do I have to complain about?”

Cohen and Vieira were married for 38 years and had three children: Benjamin, 36, Gabriel, 34, and Lily, 32. Vieira left “Today” in 2011, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. “Time is one of those weird things. You can never get enough of it, and it just keeps ticking away,” she said at the time. “And I know that I want to spend more of mine with my husband, Richard, and my kids.”

Cohen’s legacy extends beyond his journalism career, as he helped open conversations about living with chronic illness. “I think too many people stay closed and don’t tell the truth,” he said during a 2014 appearance on “Today.” His advocacy and openness about his health struggles have left a lasting impact on those who knew him and the broader MS community.