Richard Engel

2022 - 8 - 18

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Today.com"

NBC News' Richard Engel Says 6-Year-Old Son Henry Has Died (Today.com)

NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel said Thursday morning that his son Henry had died. Henry was diagnosed with Rett syndrome as a toddler.

We gather on our bed several times a day for what we call 'cuddle parties,' where we kiss him, rub him, praise him (he loves to hear his name and be praised) and curl his thick, gorgeous hair in our fingers," he wrote at the time. "He continues to be an inspiration for Dr. "You were amazing warriors for Henry — pouring your love and care into him and fighting for him every day with everything you’ve got. “His condition progressed and he’s developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness. "To parents with typically developing children, a little Dada may not seem like a big deal. While describing the challenges Henry was facing, the journalist emphasized how lucky he felt to have Henry in his life. So when he heard that sweet word come out of his son's mouth, it was a moment Engel will never forget. The Engel family brought Henry to the hospital's Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) in 2018 to seek additional answers. This is how we will honor his life,” the doctor continued. “Henry was special in so many ways. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle.

NBC News correspondent Richard Engel announces death of 6 ... (CBS News)

Richard Engel and his wife had been open about their 6-year-old's battle with a rare genetic condition.

"He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo." Through a genetic test, doctors learned he had a mutation to his MECP2 gene. "He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. "His loving and endearing smile, and the way he connected with his eyes, stole my heart from the time I met him," Zoghbi said in a statement. "His quiet fight against this terrible disease was incredible. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more."

NBC's Richard Engel announces death of 'beloved son' Henry, who ... (USA TODAY)

Richard Engel recalled his 6-year-old's blue eyes, easy smile and "a contagious giggle" when sharing Henry passed away on Aug. 9.

The NBC correspondent gave an update in May that Henry had "taken a turn for the worse." He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo," Engel wrote on Twitter. The couple took Henry to get tested when he couldn't perform motor functions like walking, sitting or standing and had a hindrance in language. "Our deepest condolences to you and Mary and the rest of your family." Please don't despair" "I am so very, very sorry. MECP2 mutations cause Rett syndrome, the memorial page read. [revealing in an emotional essay on the "Today" show](https://www.today.com/parents/rett-syndrome-richard-engel-son-henry-s-milestone-life-special-t150348) that his son had finally said "dada" shortly after the NBC News chief foreign correspondent had returned home from a Syria work trip. [Our beloved son Henry passed away.](https://twitter.com/RichardEngel/status/1560273295206821889) He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle," Engel wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of his son. Sending you love." 9](https://texaschildrens.site/duncan-nri/henry.html), according to a memorial page posted on the Texas Children's Hospital website. "

Savannah Guthrie honors Richard Engel's late son, Henry, with ... (Page Six)

Savannah Guthrie shared a touching tribute after her NBC News colleague Richard Engel's 6-year-old son, Henry, died, remembering his "sweet spirit."

[took “a turn for the worse”](https://pagesix.com/2022/06/01/richard-engels-sons-health-takes-turn-for-the-worse/) this June. “His condition progressed and he’s developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness,” Engel tweeted at the time. [3-year-old son](https://pagesix.com/2019/08/19/nbcs-richard-engel-and-wife-mary-welcome-son-theodore/) Theodore, [welcomed Henry](https://pagesix.com/2015/09/29/nbc-news-richard-engel-welcomes-baby-boy/) in September 2015. “We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more,” the journalist continued. In the sweet snap, the “Today” show co-anchor smiled down at Henry as he touched her face with a smile. [6-year-old’s death](https://pagesix.com/2022/08/18/richard-engels-son-henry-dead-at-age-6-of-neurological-disorder/).

NBC News Correspondent Richard Engel Mourns Death of 6-Year ... (E! Online)

NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel announced on Aug. 18 that his son Henry, 6, had died. He was previously diagnosed with Rett syndrome.

[For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! "To parents with typically developing children, a little Dada may not seem like a big deal," he wrote. Thanks to you and Mary for sharing Henry's story and the joy and richness he brought into your lives. [added](https://twitter.com/LesterHoltNBC/status/1560296782667595777), "I am crushed by the news Richard. "Henry was special in so many ways," Dr. This is how we will honor his life."

Richard Engel Announces Death of 'Beloved' 6-Year-Old Son Henry (PEOPLE.com)

The NBC News chief foreign correspondent, 48, shared the heartbreaking news on Twitter Thursday. Henry, whom Richard shares with his wife Mary, died on Aug. 9, ...

He said in a candid essay for [Today](https://people.com/tag/today/) that Henry was "not doing very well" considering the circumstances. Now that he's getting bigger, he can barely move independently." "His condition progressed and he's developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness." In a video that Engel shared on Twitter, his son Theo, 2, affectionately kissed Henry on the forehead as Henry lay in bed. He doesn't sit up straight. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle.

NBC News' Richard Engel's son Henry dies at age 6 (FOX 6 Milwaukee)

Longtime NBC News foreign correspondent Richard Engel announced Thursday that his 6-year-old son Henry had died after a lifelong battle with a rare brain ...

Born in 2015, Henry began to miss important developmental milestones and their doctor later informed them after a genetic scan that he had the disorder due to a mutation in his MECEP2 gene. Engel had been open about his son's condition and updated the public at times about Henry. What is most amazing, however, is the impact Henry had on so many of us at the Duncan NRI and on our Rett research. "Henry was special in so many ways," Zoghbi wrote. [sharing a link](https://texaschildrens.site/duncan-nri/henry.html) where donors could support research at the Texas Children's Hospital. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle.