Alex Trebek has been a household name and a trailblazer in game show television for almost four decades - he's been the host of the popular trivia game show, Jeopardy, for 37 years. This Sudbury, Ontario native first studied journalism before pursuing a career in entertainment. His first game show hosting job was in 1973, on a short-lived show called The Wizard of Odds. Today, Trebek has won Emmys and is one of the most respected hosts in the history of TV.
Over the past year, Alex Trebek has faced a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer while maintaining his career. He's been really brave! His signature calm personality hasn't changed. Trebek vowed that he was going to fight cancer with everything he had and he is fighting the good fight.
Alex Trebek attributes his strength during his cancer battle to the tremendous support he’s gotten from his wife, Jean. However, his wife doesn't get very much attention. Today, let’s celebrate Alex Trebek and 15 sweet facts about his marriage to wife Jean Currivan Trebek.
15 They Met Cute
Before everyone met online, via dating apps, people met in person. This was the case for Alex and Jean; they met at a party and immediately hit it off. The two started their relationship slowly. They became friends before their relationship developed romantically.
14 The Age Difference
While many successful couples have a small age difference, Alex and Jean have never let their large age difference get in the way of making their loving relationship work. Jean gushed when she told People about how Alex won her over. She said, “There was just this deep sensitivity about him with a gruffy exterior. I kept thinking, he’s 24 years older than me…but there was something that just kept drawing me to him.”
13 Their First Date
They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but never underestimate the allure of a man who can cook. Alex invited Jean over to his home and then he made her dinner.
Jean was nervous about taking their relationship to the next level because she cared for Alex so much and said, “I was afraid I’d mispronounce my own name! But Alex is really down to earth. He’s much more casual than he is on the show.”
12 How He Popped The Question
The year was 1989 and Alex gave Jean black velvet pants and a bolero jacket for her birthday - that was a very fashionable choice back then. Shortly after, Alex hinted that he had another gift for her and presented her with a 16-carat sapphire and diamond ring. The two were married the following spring, in front of 150 family and friends.
11 Her New Age Profession
Jean is a well-known Internet professional who writes about (and practices) sound healing and religious science. Jean told Survivor.net how important her profession has been in terms of staying positive while Alex battles pancreatic cancer. She feels that "The Universe Will Always Respond" when you ask for help. She stays upbeat to help uplift her husband.
10 Two Homebodies In Love
A couple who can enjoy activities together won’t end up fighting over what to do on date night. Alex said, “I was never into going out to clubs. It wasn’t my scene.” The two continue to enjoy watching movies in bed after dinner in addition to ‘tinkering’ around the house, doing small home repair and maintenance projects.
9 Joining Their Families Together
Alex adopted his ex-wife’s Elaine’s daughter, Nicky Trebek, while they were still married. Just three weeks after Alex and Jean married, they found out that they were expecting their first child. The couple has two children together, daughter Emily (who works as a realtor) and son Matthew (who works as a restauranteur). All three of Alex’s children are supporting their dad in his fight against cancer.
8 How She's Helping Alex Through Treatment
Jean uses her blog, Inside Wink, to promote her work and life philosophy, and the blog states, “We strive to encourage kinder living, to reveal silver linings, to see the world’s perpetual generosity. Share a secret, a belly laugh, an experience…. share the good.” Last August Jean wrote a post on promoting ‘Inner Peace’ and readers couldn’t help but think about how she is using the power of positivity to help her husband.
7 29 Plus Years Together
Alex is very happy with his life. He candidly said, “I’m pretty satisfied with my life. But my wife Jean and I have been together almost 29 years, and I was thinking about President Bush when he died, and all the comments about his life about what a nice guy he is, and how he and his wife had been together 73 years. I thought, Oh my gosh… if I’d just met Jean in my 20s, we could have had a longer life together.” Although, because of their age difference, that just wasn’t possible.
6 Taking A Break From Work
While Jean has admitted that she wanted Trebek to stop or pause working to focus on his health, she also knows how important Jeopardy is to the star. Trebek says he remains committed to entertaining others, “And I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me, then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.”
5 Battling Cancer Together
Tears of joy can be uplifting, especially when your husband is fighting a battle against cancer. Alex describes his wife’s unwavering support saying, “Jeannie is wonderful. She cried of course this morning when she got the [good] news [about my tumors shrinking]. But it’s been a lot. It’s a lot of pressure.”
In the time since that quote, Trebek was told that he would need to undergo chemotherapy treatment again, with his wife and family by his side.
4 Coping With Hard Moments
Battling an illness can be a rollercoaster, even if you are doing well, and it can be hard on even the strongest relationships. Alex has been clear that this has put some strain on his relationships, saying, “There were some good days, but a lot of not so good days.” Trebek said he’s experienced lows and depression post-diagnosis. However, he maintains that his family and his wife, Jean, have been at his side through everything.
3 Defying All Odds
Alex has defied odds and is still fighting, one-year post-diagnosis. His wife, Jean, remains sensitive to his needs through all of this. She said that the hardest thing she’s faced so far is seeing her husband in pain and not being able to help.
2 Shoulda Coulda Woulda
Alex Trebek has enjoyed fame, wealth and family, so, as previously mentioned, he has very few regrets; however, one of those regrets involves his wife. Because of their age difference and his cancer diagnosis, he doesn't think that he'll get to celebrate his 50th anniversary with Jean.
1 Understanding The Strain Of Caregivers
Like any good partner Alex understands the sacrifices his wife has made to help him stay strong through his illness. Alex said, “It’s always tough for the caretakers because she has to deal with her worrying for my wellbeing and also dealing with…I’m not always the most pleasant person to be around when I am experiencing severe pain and depression, and she has to tread lightly around me.”
Sources: Oprah Magazine, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Closer Weekly, Biography, Marriage Biography, Inside Wink