It’s been nearly a year since the legendary “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek passed away following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer, and he is still dearly missed by millions of fans to this day. A fact which Alex Trebek’s wife, Jean Currivan-Trebek, only began to realize after her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
In a new interview, Trebek’s widow Jean Currivan-Trebek admitted that she had no idea just how beloved her late husband was until his cancer battle was made public.
Jean Currivan-Trebek Discusses Her Late Husband Alex Trebek
But first, watch Currivan-Trebek talk about how she’s keeping her late husband’s memory alive in the video below.
“Alex was my dear husband and my most beloved friend. Like most long-term relationships, we had our ups and downs, but the truth of it was that we were very close and experienced a lot of life together,” Currivan-Trebek explained to The Eden Magazine.
“It was important to Alex to keep his personal life separate from his professional life, unless it was ‘needed,’… i.e., attending an award show or something like that,” she added. “For the most part, Alex and I enjoyed staying at home. When we did go out, it was perhaps for a quick dinner or movie every now and then, so it wasn’t like we were always out in public for me to really notice his popularity.”
Related: Jean Trebek Remembers Alex In First Interview Since ‘Jeopardy!’ Host’s Death
When Alex Trebek’s Wife Realized Just How Popular He Was
It was only when Trebek announced his diagnosis with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March of 2019 that Currivan-Trebek realized how popular her husband truly was.
“We received cartons of mail every day filled with get-well cards, etc., at our home address, and I knew that the studio was receiving so much more. It was astonishing,” she recalled.
While it was a joy for Currivan-Trebek to see how loved her husband was at the end of his life, she also sees being unaware of his popularity during much of their marriage as a “gift.”
“In looking back, the fact that I did not identify Alex as an ‘icon’ was a gift. We were equal partners in a marriage, and we had our own personal growth issues to deal with just like any ordinary couple,” she explained. “It would have been really weird for both Alex and myself if I thought of him as some celebrity. He could just be himself at home, and that was it.”
Related: Alex Trebek’s Widow Shares Touching Wedding Picture And Special Message
Jean Currivan-Trebek Draws Strength From Queen Elizabeth
With the one year anniversary of her husband Alex Trebek’s passing coming up, Jean Currivan-Trebek is drawing strength from her fellow widow Queen Elizabeth as her grieving process continues.
“I’m reminded of what Queen Elizabeth ll said when Prince Phillip recently passed away. She said, ‘Grief is the price you pay for having loved.’ It’s true,” she concluded. “There are moments of my day that I miss Alex so much, and I just have to allow myself those times. Sometimes I feel as if he’s been on a long vacation, and then there are other times that the reality of the absence of his presence is really palatable. I find that being with my family and friends or doing something creative and new is really helpful.”
There truly will never be another like the famed Jeopardy host.
Let’s all lift up Alex Trebek’s loving wife, Jean Currivan-Trebek, and the rest of his family as we get closer to the one year anniversary of his passing.
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