Richard Cohen, Veteran Journalist and Meredith Vieira’s Husband, Dies at 76

Richard Cohen, the husband of former TODAY anchor Meredith Vieira and a veteran journalist, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 76. Cohen, who lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years and survived two cancer diagnoses, passed away after a two-month battle with pneumonia, according to Vieira’s representative Michael Gantz.

Cohen and Vieira were married for 38 years and shared three children: Ben, Gabe, and Lily. Diagnosed with MS at 25, Cohen became a vocal advocate for those living with chronic illnesses. “I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old and essentially told there is no hope,” he said during a 2018 appearance on TODAY with Vieira. “Diagnosed and adios. Nothing much we can do.”

Despite his health challenges, Cohen built a distinguished career in journalism, earning three Emmy Awards for his work at CBS News. He also contributed to CNN, PBS, and ABC, and authored several books, including one about his personal health journey and another highlighting individuals living with chronic diseases. “You don’t have to be controlled by it,” Cohen said of MS. “I can give you a long list of things that I can’t do anymore. You just sort of learn to accept that.”

Cohen revealed his MS diagnosis to Vieira on their second date. “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 told Yahoo Life. Vieira recalled, “I’ve always been of the school of thought that you could get hit by a bus the next day, any one of us could. It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me off.”

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological and autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as vision problems, muscle weakness, and balance issues. While there is no cure, advancements in treatment have allowed many with MS to live normal lifespans. Cohen’s openness about his condition helped destigmatize chronic illness. “I think too many people stay closed and don’t tell the truth,” he said in a 2014 TODAY interview.

Vieira left TODAY in 2011 to spend 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,” she said at the time.

Cohen’s legacy extends beyond his journalism career. He received numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine and the 2009 AARP Inspire Award. He also served on the advisory council of the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center.