A “Jeopardy!” spokesperson issued a statement on the death of Dr. Courtney Shah, the seven-time “Jeopardy!” champion and history professor who died at 52 at her home on July 22, 2026, following a battle with brain cancer.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Courtney Shah, a seven-time Jeopardy! champion and a formidable Tournament of Champions competitor,” the spokesperson said in the statement, as of July 26.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. August 10 at the Rose Center for the Arts on the Lower Columbia College campus, according to service details reported July 26.
Shah’s daughter, Maya Shah, announced the death on CaringBridge. “My mom died today, at 4:57 a.m. on July 22, 2026, in the comfort of her home,” she wrote in the post. Lower Columbia College confirmed the death through local radio station KLOG, which first reported that the illness had claimed Shah at home. Hospice care at home had sustained her through her final months, her family said.
Illness Timeline and Hospice Care
Numbness and weakness struck the left side of Shah’s face in mid-January, according to Maya Shah’s CaringBridge posts. The family publicly disclosed the diagnosis of a brain tumor in February. Radiation and chemotherapy proved ineffective, her family said, and the news reached Shah by March.
Shah chose to end treatment and begin hospice care. Maya Shah described the decision as brave and clear-eyed and said the family supported the choice. After the treatments stopped, Shah appeared more peaceful and content, her daughter wrote.
Shah found comfort in family time, basketball, Duke University and shouting out “Jeopardy!” answers before anyone else in the room, her daughter wrote. Maya Shah said she believed her mother was at peace, thanked those who supported the family and urged readers to hug their loved ones. Admirers, her tribute suggested, could honor her mother however felt meaningful — a story told, a candle lit, a prayer said or a drink poured out. A CaringBridge page, now made private, had carried the family’s running account of Shah’s journey.
Shah posted periodic health updates on social media. Ken Jennings, who hosts “Jeopardy!,” appeared alongside her in one photo taken during her time on the show. She shared a selfie on Instagram after a haircut in February, where she noted that she still had limited mobility on her left side but felt positive and well loved, and closed with an urge to tell someone you love them.
Seven Wins and $118,558
Shah’s 2021 run brought her seven consecutive wins and a total of $118,558, according to the fan-run database J! Archive. Another $2,000 came from the second-place finish in her eighth game, the one that ended her streak. The 2022 Tournament of Champions drew her back the following year, and she placed third in her quarterfinal match, taking home $5,000, according to the show.
A behind-the-scenes video recorded after her fifth game caught Shah reflecting on how far she had come, saying she never imagined she would get there and wasn’t quite sure it was real yet.
Two Decades in the Classroom
A history professor is what Shah was hired as by Lower Columbia College in Longview, Wash., where she spent nearly 20 years teaching U.S. and world history. Her classroom lessons, a college spokesperson said, brought history to life in ways that were deeply relevant and engaging for students. The spokesperson said Shah also uplifted the broader community and left a legacy that would continue to inspire.
Other Contestants Who Have Died
Other notable “Jeopardy!” contestants have died, some leaving a lasting legacy through remarkable winning streaks, inspiring stories or tragic circumstances. Contestant Laurin Bell passed away in March 2025 at age 41, and fans remembered her fondly for her vibrant floral outfit and her appearance during a February 2023 episode hosted by Jennings.
Complications from surgery took contestant Brayden Smith unexpectedly in February 2021, at the age of 24. Known as “Alex’s last champion,” Smith was a five-time winner who appeared during the final hosting season of former “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek.