Closer Weekly: Alex Trebek to Have a Small 80th Birthday Celebration with Family Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

With Alex Trebek's birthday next week, the beloved "Jeopardy!" host is reportedly looking forward to celebrating turning 80 with those closest to him.

On July 22, which is next Wednesday, "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek turns 80, and he will reportedly get to spend the day exactly the way he wants.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

The game show host started his battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer a year ago, and according to a source, he is looking forward to spending his milestone birthday with loved ones. Speaking with Closer Weekly, the source said:

“It’s going to be very small, which is just what he wants. [His wife] has organized some Zoom chats with the kids and some very close friends.”

While Trebek's wife, Jean, will make sure everything runs smoothly on their end, his longtime friend and "Wheel of Fortune" host, Pat Sajak will also share in the special day with him.

A MAN KNOWN FOR HIS DETERMINATION

Having known each other for a long time, Sajak showed unwavering support of Trebek after he revealed his cancer diagnosis. Knowing better than to "bet against him," Sajak previously said that there is "no one I know who is stronger or more determined."

That same determination also had Trebek make things right with his children, as he previously shared that he didn't always "do things right" when it came to parenting.

TREBEK'S FAMILY

Trebek is dad to three children from two marriages. During his first marriage to Elaine Kares, they adopted a daughter Nicky, and with his current wife Jean, he shares another daughter Emily, and a son Matthew.

Both parties agreed to put the past behind them and move forward. And as Trebek focuses on the future, he is also determined to one day be remembered as more than a man that hosted a game show. After donating $500,000 to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission last month, he said:

“I want to make a difference in the lives of people. And I can do that through charitable donations. I can do that through charitable work.”

NOT LEAVING 'JEOPARDY!' ANYTIME SOON

Fans will be happy to know that Trebek's current contract will keep him as the host of "Jeopardy!" until at least 2022 if his health allows.

Back in March, Trebek said that his cancer journey had been far from easy, as he had "some good days" but then also many "not-so-good days." Jokingly he added that the chemo treatments would see to his demise if cancer doesn't.

FATHER'S DAY SURPRISE

To honor their dad on the special day, Alex Trebek's children sat down for an interview wherein they shared their impressions and thoughts about him - and his determination definitely came up.

However, the three also had sweet words to say about the game show host, as Alex feels proud of the “organizational, financial, and perfectionistic traits" she inherited from Trebek.