Beloved Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Passes Away After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

Published on November 8, 2020.
Telisa Carter

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Iconic and beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has passed away at the age of 80.

The news comes over one year since he announced he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019.

“Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex,” the show tweeted on Sunday.

Trebek faced his diagnosis with bravery and positivity and shared a few emotional updates during the course of his battle. In early March 2020, Trebek shared an update reporting that he had reached one year of survival, the rate of which is only 18% when given a stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

“Now normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this and I’m going to keep working,” he said.

“And with the love and support of my family and friends, and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease,” continued Trebek, who also quipped that he must continue working because of the terms of his contract through the 2021-22 season.

“Truth told, I have to because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years!” he joked. “So help me! Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.”

Trebek is survived by his wife Jean and their two children: son Matthew, 29, and daughter Emily, 27. As well as his eldest daughter Nicky, 23, whom he adopted when he was married to Nicky’s mother, Trebek’s first wife Elaine Callei.

Tributes have already been pouring in the for the host. Thoughts are with his family.

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