Cindy Stowell was a six-time Jeopardy! winner, who received $105,803 throughout her reign. Sadly, she by no means obtained to see her cash be put to good use as a result of she died shortly earlier than her episodes aired.
Jeopardy! shared a tribute to Stowell, a scientist, from Austin, Texas, on what would have been her fiftieth birthday — July 16, 2025. “On what would have been her fiftieth birthday, we’re revisiting Cindy Stowell’s unbelievable Jeopardy! run,” the sport present wrote on social media.
“I’ve watched Jeopardy!, gosh, for like over 20 years now,” she stated within the clip. Former host Alex Trebek, who additionally died of most cancers in 2020, was then seen saying her was “fearful” for her as a result of Stowell was within the pink going into Double Jeopardy and trailed her rivals by over $6,000. “However, she persevered.”
“I had no concept that I’d be this fortunate, I assume,” Stowell stated. “It was a number of enjoyable and I actually loved it.” She was identified with untreatable stage 4 terminal colon most cancers shortly after qualifying for the sport present, however earlier than her interview spherical. When she obtained to the interview, Stowell requested that the producers rush her tapings as rapidly as doable. The producers honored her request, and she or he obtained to compete on Jeopardy! earlier than she died. Stowell suffered by ache, fever, and stomachaches all through her run, in line with Fandom.com.
Within the interview clip, Stowell obtained emotional when she stated she wished to donate most of her winnings to most cancers analysis as a result of she was dying of most cancers. “I actually would really like the cash that I win for use to assist others,” she stated. “So, this looks like an excellent alternative.”
“I feel it’s necessary to set objectives for your self, irrespective of how a lot time you will have left,” Stowell stated. “It was one thing to attempt for, and it was one thing to assist me preserve going. It’s been an unreal expertise.”
Stowell died on December 5, 2016. Though her episodes aired eight days after her dying, she did get to see her first three episodes as Jeopardy! despatched her a complicated DVD.
On the finish of her final episode, Trebek gave a small tribute to Stowell and up to date followers on her dying. For the previous six Jeopardy! packages, you of us have been attending to know the gifted champion, Cindy Stowell. Showing on our present was the success of a lifelong ambition for that girl. What you didn’t know is that once we taped these packages along with her a number of weeks in the past, she was affected by Stage 4 most cancers. And sadly, on December fifth, Cindy Stowell handed away. So from all of us right here at Jeopardy!, our honest condolences to her household and her pals,” he stated.
She was posthumously acknowledged within the 2017 Match of Champions, the place a further $10,000 donation to the most cancers charities was introduced, and the host and contestants wore darkish blue ribbons in her honor.
“She needs to be thought of one of many best gamers of all time. To play at this stage as sick as she was simply reveals her brilliance, stamina and expertise,” an Instagram consumer stated.
“A lovely tribute. Two wonderful fighters,” one other wrote.
Different followers wished her a heavenly birthday within the feedback.
“I keep in mind her run effectively. RIP to her and Alex. Most cancers can go to hell,” a Reddit consumer stated.
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