Husband of former 'TODAY' anchor dies, show announces

(NEXSTAR) — Richard Cohen, husband of former "TODAY" show anchor Meredith Vieira, has died, the show revealed on Tuesday.

Cohen, 76, died on Christmas Eve. He had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his 20s and had also been diagnosed with cancer twice, "TODAY" explained. A cause of death was not shared.

Multiple sclerosis, often referred to as MS, is an autoimmune disease that impacts the nervous system. It can lead to numbness, weakness, difficulties walking, and vision problems, among other symptoms, the Mayo Clinic explains.

There is no cure for MS, and the disease can impact people differently. Some will lose their ability to walk or move while others can experience "long periods" between attacks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Cohen spent several years as a journalist for CBS News, wrote books about his health, and advocated for those with chronic illnesses. He had also been diagnosed with and survived colon cancer twice, People reports.

Cohen and Vieira married in 1986 and share three children: Lily, 32; Gabriel, 34; and Benjamin, 36, according to People.

Speaking with Yahoo! Life in 2019, Cohen explained that he had told Vieira of his multiple sclerosis diagnosis on their second date. "She didn't blink," he recounted of Vieira's reaction.

The couple frequently said they turned to humor as a way to cope with hard times.

Hoda Kotb, sharing the news of Cohen's passing on Tuesday, explained that his family had gathered around him over Thanksgiving "because they were concerned they were going to lose him early."

"But instead, they got a glorious month with their dad, [Meredith] said," Kotb added.