Sun Jan 12 14:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Award-Winning Journalist and Meredith Vieira’s Husband, Richard Cohen, Dies at 76
**NEW YORK, NY** – Richard Cohen, a celebrated journalist and husband of former *Today* show host Meredith Vieira, passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 76 after a two-month battle with pneumonia. The news was confirmed by Vieira’s representative, Michael Gantz, to USA TODAY.
Cohen, who had lived with multiple sclerosis for over 50 years, also overcame two bouts of cancer throughout his life. Despite the challenges posed by his illness, which left him legally blind, he maintained a remarkably positive outlook and prolific career. He won three Emmy Awards for his work at CBS News and contributed to CNN, PBS, and ABC. His journalism extended beyond broadcasting to include a health column for The New York Times and several books, including one detailing his own experiences with chronic illness.
Cohen’s openness about his MS served as an inspiration to many. “You don’t have to be controlled by it,” he stated in a 2019 interview with Yahoo Life. He leaves behind a legacy not only of journalistic excellence but also of candid conversation surrounding chronic illness.
Beyond his journalism accolades, Cohen received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine, the 2009 AARP Inspire Award, and served on the advisory council of the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center. He and Vieira, married for nearly four decades, shared three children: Benjamin, Gabriel, and Lily. Vieira’s decision to leave *Today* in 2011 was partly driven by a desire to spend more time with her family, a testament to the close bond they shared. Cohen’s death marks a significant loss for the journalism community and those touched by his inspiring life.
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