We Never Had Those Hard Conversations - Katie Couric Opens Up About Her Biggest Regret During Late Husband’s Cancer Battle
Katie Couric is opening up about one thing she wishes had happened during her late husband Jay Monahan’s cancer battle, saying the absence of that conversation still remains her biggest regret.
Speaking candidly, the veteran journalist said she and Monahan never truly discussed the possibility that he might d!e during his colon cancer diagnosis.
“My biggest regret, I think, was that I never really talked to my husband about the possibility that he might d!e, quite frankly,” Couric said, adding, “We never had those hard conversations.”
She explained that, at the time, her way of coping was to hold tightly to hope and keep telling herself they would find a way through it.
Looking back, Couric said she wishes they had spoken to someone who could have helped guide those difficult discussions.
“I wish we had gone to talk to somebody who could have helped facilitate that kind of conversation,” she said, noting that she focused on not giving up and kept repeating, “We’ll figure this out.”
Couric also used the moment to encourage caregivers to seek support instead of carrying everything alone.
According to her, asking for help became necessary because the emotional weight of caregiving was overwhelming.
“I felt guilty at times, but I knew that I was going to explode if I didn’t do that,” she said.
Monahan d!ed in 1998 at the age of 42 while Couric was hosting Today. At the time, their daughters, Ellie and Carrie, were just 6 and 2 years old.
Reflecting on what he missed, Couric spoke warmly about the milestones he never got to witness, including seeing their daughters grow up and celebrate major achievements.
She said he would have been proud to see Ellie marry and Carrie excel academically.
Since losing him, Couric has remained a strong voice for colon cancer awareness and the importance of screening.
She stressed that younger people are increasingly being diagnosed and urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical advice early.
Later in life, Couric found love again and married John Molner in 2014. She also shared how life changed once her daughters moved out, saying family dinners had once given her life structure and rhythm.
That rhythm has since taken on a new shape, as she is now also a grandmother after daughter Ellie welcomed a baby boy in 2024.
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