Richard Cohen and Meredith Vieira on November 9, 2012 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.Photo:Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
The women ofThe Viewpaid tribute to one of their own following the news thatMeredith Vieira’s husbandRichard Cohendied.
News broke on theTodayshow on Jan. 7 thatCohen, Vieira’s husband of 38 years, died at age 76 on Christmas Eve, andJoy Beharkicked off that day’s episode with a message from the former co-host.
“Our dear friend and OGViewmoderator Meredith Vieira wanted us to share with all of you that her husband, Richard Cohen, passed away on Christmas Eve,” Behar, 82, said. “A lot of people who watched these shows remember Richard. Meredith told us that it is only fitting because he came into this world on Valentine’s Day and he left it on a holiday, so it felt like perfect symmetry.”
“In his memoir,Blindsided, Richard was refreshingly candid, even good-humored about the lifelong struggle with MS — he had multiple sclerosis for a long time — and other health battles. I remember he had a cancer scare one time that was devastating to her, and of course to him. But he never let illness control or define his life. That was true about him.”
The longtime host ofThe Viewsaid that she andher husband, Steve Janowitz, “enjoyed hanging out with Richard too, off camera” and the couples “went to dinner [together] many times.”
Cohen also “adoredWhoopi” Goldberg," Behar said, and “Sara [Haines]got to know him when she was at theTodayshow.”
Meredith Vieira and Richard Cohen during the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 27th Dinner of Champions at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.Shane Gritzinger/FilmMagic
Shane Gritzinger/FilmMagic
“It’s very sad and touching. Three adult children — Ben, Gabe and Lily — came home to spend the entire month with him. They were a very, very close family,” she added. “Our hearts go out to our beloved Meredith, as well as Richard’s family and many friends. A life well-lived.”
Meredith Vieira and husband Richard Cohen smile with their dog Jasper on NBC News' “Today” show.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/ via Getty
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/ via Getty
OnToday,Savannah Guthriesaid that Vieira, 71, whodepartedThe Viewin 2006to co-host theTodayshow withMatt Lauer— is “in really good spirits” after Kotb shared the sad news.
“She was such a beautiful and devoted wife to Richard and he adored Meredith,” Guthrie said. “And hanging out with them, they were like the most fun and entertaining, irreverent, cool couple you could hang out with.”
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source: people.com
