Katie Couric Opens Up About Her Struggles With Bulimia

As honest as Katie Couric has been about her life in the past, it was a little surprising to see how the public reacted to her opening up about her bulimia struggles back in September, even to her.

The 56-year-old journalist chatted about her thoughts on the subject when she was recently interviewed for More magazine.

Says Couric, “I had no idea it would be a big bulletin, but I think it got traction because in a way people see me as somebody who has their shit together.”

Couric, who claims she struggled with the eating disorder “all through college and for two years after that” goes on to explain: “I was asking people to reveal their innermost feelings about [this issue], and I actually know about it. I have had this issue; my sister Emily who passed away, had this issue. So I thought, ‘This is the time.’ I tried to do it in a way that wasn’t, ‘I had bulimia!’ But just ‘I had bulimia, and I know this mind game that goes on where if you don’t adhere to this strict calorie restriction.’ It makes you feel really bad about yourself, and this vicious cycle kicks in.”

On a lighter note, Couric shared with the magazine the fact that she’s been on some wacky dates. Since her husband, Jay Monahan, passed away 15 years ago, she reveals she’s been on some odd dates.

“I have had dates where we didn’t click,” she recalls. “I once went out with a heart-transplant surgeon who talked about valves the whole night, but I appreciate that it’s not easy to go out on a date with someone like me.”

Couric goes on to say, “When you get to my age, everyone is a bit wounded. So I think it’s important to handle people with care…Everyone has a lot of baggage. It’s just, can you fit it into the overhead bin?”

That last sentence is so true. I feel like the older you get, you begin to realize that people, all people, have their share of issues. Nobody is perfect and it’s a waste of time to try and find that person with zero flaws.

You can read the full Katie Couric interview in February’s issue of More.