Everyone has a story. I encourage all of you to preserve yours so that it can be cherished by those you love for years—even generations—to come.
Photos
My mother, Elinor Hene, as a preteen in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.
I was 10 when I found this photo of my dad, John Couric, in officer candidate school. I thought he was the handsomest man in the world.
The ever-stylish Nana. As a young woman in Alexander City, Alabama, my mom’s mom was considered a great beauty.
My paternal grandmother, Wilde. A devoted mother, teacher, and product of her time.
Election night, 1952. My dad, third from left, covering the Eisenhower/ Stevenson race for United Press.
Outside my future elementary school in Arlington, Virginia, at 3 years old. Once a ham, always a ham.
The Couric kids, left to right: Me, Emily, Kiki, Johnny, 1960. No wonder my sisters nicknamed me Smiley.
Johnny and me with our parents in Virginia Beach on a rare family vacation. I love my mom’s serene expression—no laundry, no dishes, no vacuum in sight.
My first photo op, 1966: Janie McMullan, Diana Searlman, and I raised $11.65 for the United Way. The local paper came and took this picture.
The fact that I was a cheerleader seems to shock no one. Yorktown High School, 1974.
Pre-gaming with my childhood friend Sara Crosman on the Lawn at UVA. The school wasn’t my first choice, but it turned out to be a great fit academically and socially.
With my lifelong friend Wendy Walker at the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner, 1980. Clearly we were jazzed to be there—partly because we had a close encounter with our idol, Jane Pauley.
If looks could kill… Under deadline in Havana with CNN, 1982.
The Take Two gang: With my boyfriend Guy Pepper and my mentors Chris Curle and her husband, Don Farmer. Atlanta, 1983.
Out in the field with my WTVJ cameraman John Lang and sound guy Jorge DeVega. Local reporters often form really strong bonds with their crew. Nice mullet.
In Tallahassee, covering my first political campaign, 1986. P.S. He lost.
After an exhausting night reporting on a hurricane in the Keys, my crew and I took down this fish from the wall of my hotel room. I had my way with him, and John Lang captured the afterglow.
My first headshot, for WRC in Washington, DC. Trying—hard—to look professional. （Ray East）
Interviewing Virginia governor Gerald Baliles at the DNC in Atlanta, 1988. My first time in a headset.
Sister, sister: Kiki and Emily at Jay’s and my rehearsal dinner in Georgetown, 1989.
Our wedding reception, June 10th. Jay always made me feel like Ginger Rogers.
I loved marrying into the “Han Clan,” as the seven Monahan kids were known. Jay is on the right.
The morning after. If I have the math right, I was about 12 hours pregnant.
In Saudi Arabia covering Operation Desert Storm. I got a lot of attention—I joked that I went there a 6 and came back a 10.
Katherine or Katie? My first day as co-anchor of the TODAY show, April 4th, 1991. Fun fact: my nose runs when I’m nervous—hence the tissue. （NBC）
Proud as peacocks: In our first New York City apartment, Ellie seems skeptical as we introduce her to solid food.
On The Tonight Show, 1991. Bantering with Johnny Carson, the king of late night, was the thrill of a lifetime. A segment I’d recently done on how to properly use a condom provided some great material. （Carson Entertainment）
Getting camera-ready at the White House. My glam squad always had my back （and front）。
With Jeff Zucker and Bryant Gumbel. Navigating the boys’ club wasn’t always easy.
Bush ambush, 1992: When the president showed up unexpectedly, talk of tea sets with the First Lady quickly turned to Iran-Contra. Clearly Mrs. Bush wanted to move things along. （NBC）
With First Lady Hillary Clinton in dueling shoulderpadded power suits on the White House lawn, 1993. （William J. Clinton Presidential Library）
August 1993: Once The New Yorker （and Eeyore） weighed in, my arrival in the zeitgeist was official. （The New Yorker, cartoon by Danny Shanahan）
The two Elinors and me: Three generations of Couric women, Maurertown, Virginia.
The West Wing, 1993: During a commercial break, I taught the notoriously stiff Al Gore the Pretzel. He inscribed the photo, “I think I’ve got it now. Thanks! I’m ready for the DANCE PARTY!” （Callie Shell, White House photographer）
With my friend Johnnie Cochran, OJ Simpson’s defense attorney. He liked me more than my questions. （Roger Sandler）
Broadcasting from Cannes, 1995. No wonder I loved my job.
From left: Kiki, Johnny, Emily, and me with our parents on their 50th anniversary.