Richard Cohen, Meredith Vieira’s husband, dies after living with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years

Richard Cohen, the husband of former “TODAY” show host Meredith Vieira, died on Christmas Eve at the age of 76.

Cohen lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years and survived two cancer diagnoses. He and Vieira have been married for 38 years and have three children.

Cohen was a veteran journalist who worked for CBS News. He was also diagnosed with MS at a young age.

“I was diagnosed when I was 25 and basically told there was no hope,” he said during his “TODAY” appearance with Vieira in 2018.

“Diagnosed and adios. There’s not much we can do,” he added.

Cohen has written several books about his health and has spoken out in support of people living with chronic illness.

“I think too many people stay closed off and don’t tell the truth,” he said on the “TODAY” show in 2014.

Cohen told Vieira about his diagnosis during their second date.

“I told him about the illness, because I kind of learned the hard way about putting things on the table. And she really didn’t blink,” he told Yahoo Life.

Recalling the moment, Vieira told the outlet: “I’ve always been of the school of thought that you could get hit by a bus the next day, any of us could do it. It certainly wasn’t enough to scare me.

The couple had sons Ben and Gabe and daughter Lily. When Vieira left “TODAY” in 2011, she said she wanted to spend more time with Cohen and their children.

“Time is one of those strange things. We never have enough, and it just keeps flowing. And I know I want to spend more time with my husband, Richard, and my children,” she said.