At 85 years old, Tom Brokaw remains a respected figure in American journalism, even though he is no longer anchoring daily news broadcasts. His health and public availability have changed significantly in recent years, largely due to a long-standing battle with the incurable blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. While he has stepped back from many public duties and his mobility appears reduced, Brokaw continues to live with a focus on his family, his legacy, and managing his condition with determination and humility.
Professional Background and Current Public Role
Tom Brokaw built a massive career at NBC News, serving as anchor of the NBC Nightly News from 1983 until 2004, and remaining with NBC in other capacities for many years. He officially retired from his full-time network role in 2021, after 55 years with NBC. Since his retirement, he has not been a frequent on-air presence but has occasionally participated in special features, written books, and remained connected to journalism in a lighter capacity.
Today, Brokaw’s public appearances are far more limited. According to media reports, he was recently seen in Central Park in a wheelchair, accompanied by his wife and a health aide, which suggests that his mobility has been affected. While his voice remains recognizable and his legacy firm, his day-to-day public role has clearly shifted from active journalism to a focus on health and personal life.
Health Status and Multiple Myeloma Journey
Brokaw was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in August 2013. This is a type of plasma-cell blood cancer that is considered treatable but not curable. Over the years, he has described his condition honestly, noting that although he once felt invincible, the diagnosis forced him to confront his own mortality and adapt in significant ways.
Treatment and Management
His treatment has included chemotherapy, maintenance therapies (such as lenalidomide), and supportive care to manage symptoms like back pain, bone fractures, and fatigue. At one point he reported achieving remission in 2014, although the cancer remains under long-term management. Brokaw has also spoken about the emotional toll of the disease, acknowledging the uncertainty and the ongoing effort required to manage rather than cure his condition.
Impact on Daily Life
The illness has had visible effects on Brokaw’s lifestyle. His need to use a wheelchair, as seen in recent public observations, suggests reduced mobility, possibly due to bone/muscle complications or other side-effects of treatment. Social and travel engagements appear far less frequent, and he has largely withdrawn from full-time professional activities. Brokaw himself has said that for the first time in his life he found himself in a place I had never been, referring to retirement and illness.
Personal Life and Activities Today
Outside his health challenges, Brokaw’s personal life remains a strong reference point. He has been married to his wife, Meredith Lynn Auld, since 1962 and they have three daughters. The family spends much of their time at their ranch in Montana, offering a quieter, slower-paced lifestyle than the demands of Big Network journalism.
In addition to focusing on family, Brokaw has authored several books, including both memoirs and historical works. His writing remains part of his public voice, allowing him to share reflections without the full demands of daily broadcasting. He has also been active in philanthropic and veteran-related projects, reflecting his long-standing interest in American history and public service.
Public Presence and Legacy Projects
- Occasional commentary or appearance in documentaries or interviews rather than regular news anchoring.
- Writing and publishing books, sharing his life experience, particularly after his cancer diagnosis.
- Participation in veteran-history and American-heritage causes, consistent with his earlier work in journalism and public affairs.
These engagements allow him to remain relevant and engaged in meaningful ways, while accommodating his health-related constraints.
Challenges and Reflections
Brokaw has, in various interviews, reflected on the emotional and practical challenges of living with a chronic serious illness at an advanced age. He has spoken about how he kept thinking bad things wouldn’t happen to me, only to realize he needed to adapt his identity and expectations. The transition from full-speed network journalist to managing health and lifestyle changes has required both vulnerability and resilience.
In his memoirs, he often expresses gratitude for what he calls his lucky life, while acknowledging that luck doesn’t mean immunity. His openness has resonated with many people living with chronic disease, and he has used his platform to provide encouragement and perspective, especially around the importance of taking an active role in one’s health.
What This Means for His Career and Public Perception
Brokaw’s career and legacy are already firmly established. He is recognized as one of the most influential news anchors of his generation. His shift away from daily journalism doesn’t diminish his reputation; instead, it highlights a humanizing aspect of his journey-an accomplished professional adapting to new realities. His battle with multiple myeloma adds another dimension to what the public knows about him not only the veteran journalist but the individual facing serious health challenges with grace.
Despite the health issues, there is no indication that Brokaw has lost his voice or passion for telling stories and engaging with important issues. His current pace may be slower and more selective, but he continues to use his platform in ways that match his capacities and reflect his life experience.
Future Outlook and What to Watch
For those wondering how is Tom Brokaw today, the answer is he is living with a serious chronic illness, limiting some aspects of his life and public engagement, yet remaining active in personal projects, writing, and family-oriented activities. While mobility and health may restrict some of his earlier vigor, his mindset appears focused on managing his condition, contributing where he can, and preserving his legacy.
In the coming years, key things to watch include
- New publications or public appearances from Brokaw that reflect his current perspective.
- Continued advocacy or commentary related to his illness, veteran affairs, or journalism history.
- Reports of his health status-whether improvements or setbacks-as he continues long-term management of multiple myeloma.
His journey underscores how public figures shift roles as their lives change, and Brokaw’s transition from anchor to author, mentor, and patient offers a nuanced view of life beyond the newsroom.
Tom Brokaw today is a figure of both accomplished journalism and human vulnerability. His once-dominant presence behind the anchor desk has given way to a quieter, more reflective phase centered on health, family, writing, and selective public involvement. He continues to live with multiple myeloma, navigating the challenges of a serious chronic illness at advanced age while maintaining dignity, engagement, and purpose. For anyone curious about how Tom Brokaw is doing today, the short answer is that he is adapting to new realities, sustaining his legacy, and focusing on what matters most to him-the stories, the history, and the people he cares about.