All rights reserved. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. This is how we will honor Henrys life, Zoghbi said at a recent event honoring Henry at the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, where she serves as director. Engel and his wife, Mary Forrest, welcomed Henry in September 2015 and their second son, Theo, in August 2019. Henry was special in so many ways. On Thursday, the couple visited TODAY and opened up about their late son, his disease and the new balcony dedicated to his memory at the hospital where he was treated in Houston, Texas. "Henry was special in so many ways," Zoghbi wrote. [15] In May 2008, he interviewed U.S. President George W. Bush, largely about his speech to the Israeli Knesset. All rights reserved. Fox News' Brian Flood contributed to this report. link to donate to support research in Henry's memory. Mary and Richard. August 18, 2022 / 1:26 PM Because of his olderson's condition, Engel said hearing him say "Dada" was all the more meaningful. Dr. Huda Zoghbi shared a tribute to Henry at the donor site, having studied his mutation and worked with him at the Texas hospital's Duncan Neurological Research Institute. In March 2011, Engel was caught in an artillery strike while interviewing fighters during a rebel advancement towards former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces outside the city of Ajdabiya. And now Henry is a big brother, too.". Engel and his wife, Mary Forrest, have been candid about their sons diagnosis. This story has been shared 13,615 times. In 2018, Engel wrote an essay for TODAY about the heartbreak and hope that come with caring for a child with Rett syndrome. "None of this means we dont enjoy our time with Henry. Richard Engel's son Henry dead at age 6 after battling neurological disorder By Francesca Bacardi August 18, 2022 | 11:34am Richard Engel announced the heartbreaking news that his son. In 2020, Engel opened up about the realities of how the COVID-19 lockdown impacted Henry and their family. Engel spent one summer as an unpaid intern at CNN Business News in New York City. ", Our beloved son Henry passed away. Sitemap, Your California Privacy Rights The award-winning Engel has been with NBC News since 2003 and became its chief foreign correspondent in 2008. 9,366, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved "But for me it was a validation, an acknowledgement that hes in there, knows me, knows that his mother and I are forces for good in his life, and above all, that he loves us.". Engel shared the heartbreaking news on Twitter last August. "We lost our son, our Henry. "For everyone following Henry's story, unfortunately he's taken a. It was really amazing watching them work as a team, Zoghbi said. Get yours now, Shop these 7 amazing Amazon deals ahead of this weekend, The 46 best Mother's Day gift ideas for all moms in 2023, How to watch 'Citadel': Everything to know about Prime Video's new series, Where to buy the best outdoor patio furniture and sets online in 2023, Pregnant Rihanna models vintage Chanel ahead of Met Gala 2023, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Everything we know about Met Gala 2023: Guest list, theme, how to watch, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Richard Engels wife details spending time with late sons body after his death, Hoda Kotb gets emotional honoring Richard Engels late son Henry, Savannah Guthrie honors Richard Engels late son, Henry, with touching tribute, Richard Engels son Henry dead at age 6 after battling neurological disorder, Nick Cannon celebrates Jada Pinkett Smith's 'Red Table Talk' cancellation: 'Good', Chance the Rapper's wife posts cryptic quote after his dance with another woman, Meghan Trainor 'can't walk' after 'nightmare' sex with 'big boy' Daryl Sabara, Famed New York socialite Patty Raynes found dead in her Palm Beach home, New photo of Meghan Markle that she 'never wanted the world to see', Michael J. Many of Engels colleagues, including Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, honored the young boys sweet spirit following his tragic death. The syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with no known cure that prevented Henry from developing in the long term. Get yours now, Shop these 7 amazing Amazon deals ahead of this weekend, The 46 best Mother's Day gift ideas for all moms in 2023, How to watch 'Citadel': Everything to know about Prime Video's new series, Where to buy the best outdoor patio furniture and sets online in 2023, Pregnant Rihanna models vintage Chanel ahead of Met Gala 2023, WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading to the Met Gala, Everything we know about Met Gala 2023: Guest list, theme, how to watch, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Nick Cannon celebrates Jada Pinkett Smith's 'Red Table Talk' cancellation: 'Good', Chance the Rapper's wife posts cryptic quote after his dance with another woman, Meghan Trainor 'can't walk' after 'nightmare' sex with 'big boy' Daryl Sabara, Famed New York socialite Patty Raynes found dead in her Palm Beach home, New photo of Meghan Markle that she 'never wanted the world to see', Michael J. We couldnt be more in love. [38][39][40] He often traveled to the Korengal Valley, otherwise known as the "valley of death", one of the most dangerous outposts in Afghanistan. In May 2006, he assumed his role as senior Middle East correspondent and Beirut bureau chief. [They] really worked very hard to protect him and give him physical therapy so that he could be as functional as possible, she said, adding that many boys with Rett syndrome die by age 2. Richard Engel's son has a rare mutation of a gene that causes Rett Syndrome, a disorder usually found in girls. And with a smile. When we first met Henry he couldnt stand steady. When Zoghbi uncovered that Henry was the first person observed to have his particular mutation to the MECP2 gene, she needed to do more research, so she recommended Henry be seen at Texas Childrens Hospital, where doctors could treat and track his symptoms to see if they followed the usual path for Rett syndrome. His quiet fight against this terrible disease was incredible," the doctor wrote in a tribute to her little patient. [43], In Egypt, Engel often reported from Tahrir Square, interviewing protestors in Tahrir Square as President Hosni Mubarak surrendered power to the Egyptian military. [19] He also covered the Libyan Civil War, where he was nearly shot in Benghazi. 2022, Telly Award Winner - Gold - On Assignment with Richard Engel, "Afghanistan: Graveyard of the Empires", This page was last edited on 28 April 2023, at 19:17. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Reach her at sophie.reardon@viacomcbs.com, First published on August 18, 2022 / 1:26 PM. He didnt always respond as they expected, but the excitement in his eyes told them he enjoyed and appreciated it. Rett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that affects the way the brain develops, according to the Mayo Clinic. Henry lost his life to Rett syndrome and we want it gone. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Currently, there isnt one, and treatment addresses symptoms of the syndrome, not its cause, according to NIH. He must have recognized everybody was celebrating him and everybodys excited about it. 13,615, This story has been shared 13,572 times. While Henrys cells are still being used in her research, Zoghbi stressed that shes learned so much from so many Rett syndrome patients on her path to find a cure. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, I got some books, and the smiles I got from him he was happy, she said. Engel and his wife are also parents to son Theo, whom they welcomed in August 2019. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England. He also reported for USA Today, Reuters, AFP and Jane's Defence Weekly. Richard Engel is trying to find the good on a very sad day. Richard and Mary Engel, with son Henry on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. It also caused numerous underlying health conditions including impacting his breathing," he continued. This is how we will honor his life, the doctor continued. The journalist first shared in 2017 that Henry was diagnosed with Rett syndrome and in 2020 explained how the coronavirus lockdown had worsened his condition, which left him unable to walk or talk because he was not able to attend school. He was born in the United States on September 16, 1973, in New York City. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "This is Theos first chapter, and a new one for our family. "Our beloved son Henry passed away. After developing dystonia, uncontrollable shaking and muscle contractions, his underlying health conditions got much worse, and soon, "it was too much," Engel said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Richard Engel announced on social media that his 6-year-old son Henry Engel has died after an aggressive battle with Rett syndrome, a rare brain disorder. So if its not functioning at 100% capacity maybe its functioning at 40% capacitymaybe if we can increase the amount of the protein, maybe that will get us to help some of the symptoms., [Henry] became a driving force in the lab because the lab members met him and knew him and played with him, she added. "Henry has severe special needs, and COVID has been an absolute nightmare for him and millions of other children like him. I care about all of them.. Richard Engel announced the death of his 6-year-old son Henry after his years-long battle with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological . [25] Engel's latest documentary, Ukraine: Freedom or Death [26] aired on April 22, 2022 and covered the first two months of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. David Rutz is a senior editor at Fox News. NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel announced Thursday that his son Henry, 6, has died. Henry Engel is the first of the 2 children of journalists Richard Engel and Mary Forrest The years old was . Fox News Flash top headlines are here. If were successful, that can help so many patients. NBC News' Richard Engel Says 6-Year-Old Son Henry Has Died - Today Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Richard Engel Opens Up About Son's Battle with Rett Syndrome - People The mutation causes Rett syndrome, "a disorder that typically affects girls after their first birthday, robbing them of learned skills and leaving them with cognitive deficits, loss of speech, and a variety of motor difficulties," the hospital said. Richard Engel At the 2015 Peabody Awardsceremony Born (1973-09-16) September 16, 1973(age 49) New York City, U.S. Education Stanford University(BA) Occupation Television journalist Title Chief foreign correspondent for NBC News(2008-present) Spouse Mary Forrest (m. 2015) Children 2 (1 deceased) "He continues to be an inspiration for Dr. Zoghbi and her team as they work to find effective treatments for Rett syndrome, and they already are making significant progress with Henrys own cells," the post says. She added that Henrys parents worked so hard to help him, doing physical and occupational therapy with him every day and advocating for research in hopes that it could save their son and thousands of others. NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel has shared some sad news about the health of his 6-year-old son, Henry. Were excited, nervous and thankful.". So when he heard that sweet word come out of his son's mouth, it was a moment Engel will never forget. In 2018, Engel recalled the shock of learning that his son will likely never be able to perform tasks such as walking or dressing himself. ", "Egyptians Fear Decades of Muslim Brotherhood Rule, Warn Morsi is No Friend to US", "Richard Engel Draws Praise for Egypt Coverage", "Libya Media Swarm into Gaddafi Compound", "Richard Engel's Kidnapping: A Behind the Scenes Look", "NBC News Alters Account of Correspondent's Kidnapping in Syria", "Richard Engel, NBC Chief Foreign Correspondent, to Deliver 2013 Commencement Address", "The Undergraduate Journal of the Social Sciences Interview Series Richard Engel", "Addition to Winners' CRichard Engel to speak on Wednesday evening", "2013 New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell and Circle of Honor Dinner", "Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Richard Engel, NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent, Receives the 2013 John Chancellor Award", "PBS Dominates News & Documentary Emmys; CBS Leads Broadcast Nets", "Quinnipiac honors Richard Engel, late Bob Simon at annual Fred Friendly First Amendment Award Luncheon June 9", "2016 National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners", https://www.nypressclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2017-jawards-winners-news-release.pdf, https://scripps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019_ScrippsHowardAwardsProgram.pdf, "CBS News Wins 8 Edward R. Murrow Awards", "Sigma Delta Chi Awards - Society of Professional Journalists", "2020 TV / Radio | National Headliner Awards", "Reuters, VICE News, NBC win top awards in National Press Club journalism contest", "New York Press Club Announces its 2020 Journalism Award Winners the New York Press Club", "2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award winners", https://www.nypressclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NYPC-2022-AWARDS.pdf, "The 2022 #deadlineawards winner for the National TV Spot News Reporting category is @RichardEngel @NBCNews "Taliban", "NBC's Richard Engel Marries 'Longtime Love' Mary Forrest", "Richard Engel Welcomes Son Henry Thomas", "NBC correspondent Richard Engel welcomes second son: 'We couldn't be more in love', "Richard Engel shares heartbreaking story of son's medical journey", "NBC News' Richard Engel says his 6-year-old son, Henry, has died", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Engel&oldid=1152191389, U.S. troop surge, the influx of 30,000 troops in 2007, 2006, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2007, Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism, 2008, Peabody Award, for his coverage of the Viper Company, a remote U.S. Army unit in Afghanistan, 2008, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, 2008, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2008, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Outstanding Live Coverage of a Breaking News Story Long Form, 2008, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Best Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2009, Society of Professional Journalism Award, 2009, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2010, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Best Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2010, News & Documentary Emmy Award, Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis, 2010, OPC David Kaplan Award for spot news reporting for a series of three reports from Afghanistan, 2011, David Bloom Award, Radio and Television Correspondents' Association, for Excellence in Enterprise Reporting, 2012, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, 2014, Peabody Award for his comprehensive look at the rise of ISIS, 2015, Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2015, Outstanding Hard News Report in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast, 2015, Fred Friendly First Amendment Award, 2016, National Edward R. Murrow Award, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Newscast, November 19, 2015, "Terror in Paris" Correspondent - Richard Engel, 2017, New York Press Club, Feature Reporting, On Assignment with Richard Engel - "A Matter of Trust", 2019, Scripps Howard Award - National, International Coverage. Zoghbi attributes in part to his parents the fact that Henry lived longer than most boys with the disease. Terms of Use ', Sharon Stone Shares Tribute to Her Late Brother 2 Months After His Death: 'Thinking of My Bro', How Bruce Willis' Diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia Differs from Alzheimer's Disease, What Is Frontotemporal Dementia? Sitemap, Your California Privacy Rights Engel added he's looking forward to life as a "Dada"of two. Richard Engel, NBC News' chief foreign correspondent, shared sad news Thursday that his 6-year-old son Henry has died. Henry, whom Richard shares with his wife Mary, died on Aug. 9, according to a memorial page on the Texas Children's Hospital website. You see a child who is helpless and who is sweet, and hes connecting with you, but he really is suffering from this disease. [77][78] Henry Engel was born with Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder that is extremely rare in males; he died in August 2022 at age 6. For everyone following Henrys story, unfortunately hes taken a turn for the worse, Engel wrote on Twitter. "He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo. [15] Engel worked for ABC News as a freelance journalist during the initial invasion of Iraq by U.S. forces. He doesn't sit up straight. Henry interacted with the world through sight, sound, and touch. In 2012, he was awarded the Alfred I. du-Pont-Columbia Award for his outstanding breaking news coverage of the uprisings. His most recent book, And Then All Hell Broke Loose, published in 2016, is about his two-decade career in the Middle East as a freelance reporter. "Our beloved son Henry passed away. Engel has shared updates on Henry over the years, writing essays in 2018 and 2019 about both the joys and heartbreaks the family experienced. Richard Engel and Wife Mary Welcome Baby Boy - People 2020, National Press Club Edwin M. Hood award for Diplomatic correspondence. Courtesy Richard Engel. Henry Engel Died At The Age Of 6. [citation needed] Having escaped after five days in captivity, Engel said he believed that a Shabiha group loyal to al-Assad was behind the abduction, and that the crew was freed by the Ahrar al-Sham group five days later. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "But my wife Mary and I she was the main caregiver never quit for a moment. I worked 16 years to find the (MECP2) gene. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. ", Richard Engel opens up about touching milestone for son who has Rett syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Rett syndrome: Meet the doctor trying to create a cure. Males are more likely to die from the illness. Henry, who was born in September 2015, was just an infant when his parents first realized he was not reaching developmental milestones, according to a tribute for Henry on theTexas Children's Hospital website. [2] Before joining NBC in May 2003, Engel reported on the start of the 2003 war in Iraq for ABC News as a freelance journalist in Baghdad. And neither did Henry. He attributed his attraction to journalism as "the prospect of learning about new subjects and having the privilege of riding the train of history rather than watching it pass". "His loving and endearing smile, and the way he connected with his eyes, stole my heart from the time I met him. In the later essay, Engel shared that he "finally got a 'Dada'" from his son. A big thank you to everyone who sent kind and thoughtful messages, and donated to support medical research to defeat Rett Syndrome. He never gave up.". (Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images), NBC NEWS' RICHARD ENGEL SHARES HEARTBREAKING NEWS ABOUT YOUNG SON, ANNOUNCES HE'S DEVELOPED DYSTONIA. [31] He spent years covering what he often describes as one of the most important stories of his generation, the Iraq War. opened up on the "Today" show in Marchwith an emotional essay, NBC correspondent Richard Engel gets emotional after son with Rett Syndrome says 'Dada', 'Little People, Big World's Jeremy Roloff reveals he and wife Audrey are having a boy, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. . Henry had been treated at Texas Children's Hospital's Duncan Neurological Research Institute since 2018. "But he will always be with us, even now he's hard at work to help other children whose lives are more difficult than they should be. [51], Engel's account was however challenged from early on, with Jamie Dettmer of The Daily Beast citing unnamed sources, who believed Engel and his team had been kidnapped by rogue rebel groups opposed to Assad. The institute's Dr. Huda Zoghbi, who studied Henry's mutation, called him "special in so many ways. Mary and Richard," Engel wrote on Twitter. [citation needed] He frequently traveled outside Iraq's Green Zone, the fortified international zone in central Baghdad, to report on the genuine state of Iraqi life.[30]. In fact, Dr. Hoda Zogby, who discovered the genetic cause of Rett Syndrome, believes Henry's cells hold the secrets to finding a cure. Were so close. It was a long time coming, which made it all the sweeter an unexpected reward, Engel wrote in a 2019 essay for TODAY. The father of two admitted he and his wife "were coping better before COVID," revealing that "school was the only place where [Henry] could interact with other children," which was a huge asset for him. "Henry would have turned 7 today," Engel tweeted on Sept. 29. / CBS News. We will continue to push as hard as possible to develop treatments. But for me it was a validation, an acknowledgement that hes in there, knows me, knows that his mother and I are forces for good in his life, and above all, that he loves us," Engel wrote.