Today the star’s husband dies – the show pays tribute to Meredith Vieira’s longtime love

Richard Cohen, the husband of former Today co-host Meredith Vieira, died at age 76 on Christmas Eve.

Hoda Kotb shared the sad news during Tuesday’s edition of the show, which she co-hosted with Savannah Guthrie.

“We have some sad news about a beloved member of our Today Show family,” the reporter began. “Richard Cohen, Meredith Vieira’s husband of nearly 40 years, died on Christmas Eve. He was 76 years old,” Hoda continued. “Richard lived for more than 50 years with multiple sclerosis, surviving two cancer diagnoses.

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“He refused to let any of these challenges define him. He was an accomplished journalist, a devoted husband and father,” she added, before a video celebrating Richard’s life played on screen.

Hoda went on to reveal that Richard’s children, sons Ben and Gabe and daughter Lily, returned to the family home to spend time with their father prior to his passing. “Meredith said so all the kids came around Thanksgiving because they were worried they would lose him early, but instead they got a glorious month with their dad,” Hoda explained.

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Savannah added, “And a new granddaughter she said just added so much life. She was a beautiful and devoted wife to Richard and he adored Meredith.”

She continued: “Hanging out with themthey were the most fun, entertaining, irreverent, cool couple you could hang out with.”

Richard, who worked for CBS News, was diagnosed with MS when he was in his twenties. He and Vieira were married for 38 years.

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Speaking about his health condition during an appearance on TODAY with his wife in 2018, he said: “I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old and basically told there is no hope,” he said.

“Diagnosed and adios. Nothing much we can do,” he added.

Richard told Meredith about his diagnosis on their second date. He explained his reasons, Richard said Yahoo Life: “I told her about the illness because I learned the hard way to get it on the table. And she really didn’t blink.”

Reflecting on that moment, Vieira said: “I’ve always been of the mindset that you could get hit by a bus the next day, which any of us could. It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me away.”