Katie Couric Shows Off Giant Diamond Engagement Ring—See the Pic!

TV journalist's fiancé John Molner says meeting widowed mom of two "really changed my life"

By Rebecca Macatee Sep 05, 2013 2:04 PMTags
Katie CouricAnthony J. Causi / Splash News

Katie Couric's fiancé, John Molner, sure did a good job picking out a ring!

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the 56-year-old TV journalist was spotted in the stands at the U.S. Open in NYC with her hubby-to-be- and the giant engagement sparkler he gave to her.

Molner, 50, proposed to the Katie host over Labor Day weekend in East Hampton, N.Y., and he caught the mom of two off-guard. "I was stunned," she tells People. "It took a long time for my brain to process what was going on."

But Molner was happy to surprise his future wife. "I was very old-fashioned in how I went about the proposal," he explains. "And it was a surprise to her. I was excited to catch her in a moment of confusion, which is pretty rare."

"Meeting Katie really changed my life," he gushes. "I've loved getting to know her and her daughters [Carrie, 17, and Ellie, 22], and I couldn't be happier.  When she said yes, I was just elated.  It was a great culmination to one of the best periods of my life."

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Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Huffington Post

Couric's first husband, Jay Monahan, died in 1998 of colon cancer at age 42. "I had such a happy marriage.  I loved my husband so much," she says.  "It's been nice to finally meet somebody who has so many of the values that he had. That's been a real comfort. I made sure to call Jay's siblings—and he was one of seven kids—and they were all so happy for me. That made me even happier, that they were all so thrilled. It sort of feels like it gives me permission to feel the way I do now."

Aw. As for when Couric and Molner will actually tie the knot? Couric's younger daughter still has another year at home, and a wedding most likely won't happen until she heads off to college. "There are family logistics to consider," says Molner, who has a child in high school and one in college.  "But I'm ready to go whenever called."