What Happened to Katie Couric?
Katie Couric is an iconic American broadcast journalist, author, and media executive known for her groundbreaking roles as co-anchor of NBC's Today show and the first solo female anchor of the CBS Evening News. Beyond her extensive career in television news, she is a prominent advocate for cancer awareness, a co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, and currently leads Katie Couric Media, producing podcasts, documentaries, and a daily newsletter, while also launching a book club in early 2026.
Quick Answer
Katie Couric remains an active and influential figure in media and advocacy as of March 2026. She continues to run Katie Couric Media, which produces her popular 'Next Question' podcast and the 'Wake-Up Call' newsletter. In January 2026, she launched 'Katie Couric's Book Club' (KCBC). Most recently, in March 2026, she partnered with PatientPoint for a colorectal cancer screening campaign, continuing her long-standing advocacy for cancer awareness following her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2022 and the loss of her first husband to colon cancer.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Begins Journalism Career
Katie Couric starts her career as a desk assistant at ABC News in Washington, D.C., after graduating from the University of Virginia.
Joins NBC News
Couric joins NBC News as a deputy Pentagon correspondent, quickly gaining recognition for her reporting.
Becomes Co-Anchor of Today
Couric becomes the permanent co-anchor of NBC's 'Today' show, a role that would make her one of America's most recognizable journalists.
Husband Dies of Colon Cancer
Her first husband, Jay Monahan, passes away from colon cancer at age 42, profoundly impacting Couric and inspiring her future advocacy.
Live Colonoscopy on Today
Couric undergoes a colonoscopy live on the 'Today' show, significantly raising public awareness about colon cancer screening.
Inducted into Television Hall of Fame
Katie Couric is inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to broadcast journalism.
First Solo Female CBS Evening News Anchor
Couric makes history by becoming the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program, the 'CBS Evening News.'
Co-founds Stand Up To Cancer
Couric co-founds Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate cancer research, which has since raised hundreds of millions of dollars.
Publishes 'The Best Advice I Ever Got'
Couric releases her New York Times bestselling book, 'The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives.'
Launches 'Katie' Talk Show
Her syndicated daytime talk show, 'Katie,' premieres, running for two seasons.
Founds Katie Couric Media (KCM)
Couric establishes Katie Couric Media, her own content company producing a range of media projects.
Publishes Memoir 'Going There'
Couric releases her critically acclaimed and best-selling memoir, 'Going There,' offering an honest account of her life and career.
Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Couric publicly announces she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022 and underwent surgery and radiation treatment.
Launches Katie Couric's Book Club (KCBC)
Couric announces the launch of her new book club, KCBC, with Virginia Evans' novel 'The Correspondent' as its first selection.
Partners for Colorectal Cancer Screening Campaign
Couric teams up with PatientPoint for a national campaign to promote colorectal cancer screenings, highlighting the importance of early detection.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Katie Couric has maintained a prominent and evolving presence in American media for over four decades, transitioning from a groundbreaking broadcast journalist to a multifaceted media entrepreneur and dedicated health advocate. Her career began in the late 1970s, leading to her most recognizable role as the co-anchor of NBC's 'Today' show from 1991 to 2006, where she became a household name and one of the highest-paid television personalities.
A pivotal turning point in Couric's life and career was the death of her first husband, Jay Monahan, from colon cancer in 1998. This personal tragedy propelled her into tireless cancer advocacy, famously undergoing a live colonoscopy on the 'Today' show in 2000, which significantly boosted screening rates and became known as the 'Couric Effect.' In 2006, she made history as the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program, the 'CBS Evening News,' a role she held until 2011. Following her departure from CBS, she hosted a syndicated daytime talk show, 'Katie,' and served as Yahoo's Global News Anchor.
In 2017, Couric founded Katie Couric Media (KCM), a content company that produces a range of projects including digital video series, documentaries, her daily 'Wake-Up Call' newsletter, and the award-winning podcast 'Next Question with Katie Couric.' Her memoir, 'Going There,' published in 2021, offered a candid look at her personal and professional life, becoming a New York Times bestseller. Her commitment to cancer advocacy deepened with her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, which she openly shared, undergoing surgery and radiation treatment.
As of March 2026, Couric continues to be highly active. Her 'Next Question' podcast regularly features discussions on current events and societal issues, including an episode in April 2025 discussing 'Project 2025' and recent episodes in early 2026 covering political figures and longevity research. In January 2026, she launched 'Katie Couric's Book Club' (KCBC), selecting Virginia Evans' 'The Correspondent' as her first pick. Her advocacy work remains a cornerstone of her public persona; in March 2026, she partnered with PatientPoint for a national campaign to promote colorectal cancer screenings, emphasizing the rising rates among younger adults. She also recently offered a sarcastic one-word response to a Melania Trump documentary, demonstrating her continued engagement with pop culture and politics. Couric's career exemplifies resilience and a sustained commitment to informing the public and driving social change.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Katie Couric made different choices?