Alex Trebek's wife shares wedding photo in heartfelt message to fans after his death

Jean Trebek shared a candid photo from 1990 wedding and a message to fans.

November 12, 2020, 7:41 AM

Jean Trebek broke her silence Wednesday regarding the death of her husband, "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek.

The beloved TV icon died Nov. 8 at age 80 after a hard-fought battle against stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

In a heartfelt but brief message to fans, Jean Trebek thanked everyone who extended their condolences and support to her and her children.

"My family and I sincerely thank you all for your compassionate messages and generosity," she wrote on Instagram. "Your expressions have truly touched our hearts. Thank you so very, very much."

With her note, she also shared an intimate photo of her and Alex's wedding when the camera caught the very moment the "Jeopardy!" host slipped a wedding ring on her finger. While Jean is looking down at the wedding band, Trebek's face is full of love as he looks to his bride.

Jean closed out her message with a sincere, "Many Blessings to all."

PHOTO:  Alex Trebek hosts "JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time".
Alex Trebek hosts "JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time".
Eric Mccandless/ABC via Getty Images

Throughout his career, the television host never shied away from the opportunity to express his love for Jean. He most recently spoke about his marriage in his final memoir, which was released last July, "The Answer is ... Reflections on My Life."

Sharing his first impression upon meeting his future wife in 1988, Trebek wrote: "Sometimes you look at something, you look at someone, and you know. I mean, you’ve heard stories of people who meet and decide within half an hour; I knew this was going to be the person I’d end up with."

Calling her "Jeanie" in the passage, he furthered, "I recognized at a gut level that here was someone who was going to complete me as a human being."

The two wed in 1990 and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on April 30. They had two children together -- Emily and Matthew Trebek.

The "Jeopardy!" host spoke exclusively to ABC News about undergoing an experimental immunotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer and releasing a new memoir.
The "Jeopardy!" host spoke exclusively to ABC News about undergoing an experimental immunotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer and releasing a new memoir.