Jeopardy! champion Dr. Courtney Shah dies at 52 after brain cancer battle

Seven-time Jeopardy! champion Dr. Courtney Shah has died at the age of 52 following a battle with brain cancer.

Shah passed away peacefully at her home on July 22 while receiving hospice care, according to an announcement shared by her daughter, Maya Shaw, on the nonprofit website CaringBridge.

The beloved quiz champion had revealed in March that radiation and chemotherapy were no longer working against her brain cancer, prompting her transition to hospice care.

In an emotional tribute, Maya reflected on her mother's passing and the enduring love her family will always have for her.

“I don’t know what you believe about death, but I like to think that she’s at peace now,” Maya wrote. “We loved her in this world, and we loved her out of this world, and we’ll go on loving her.”

She added, “Thank you for your grace in all of this. It hasn’t been easy. It will continue not to be easy. Hug your loved ones.”

Shah became a fan favourite after an impressive seven-game winning streak on Jeopardy! in 2021, earning $118,558 before finishing second in her eighth game. 

She later returned to compete in the 2022 Tournament of Champions, where she reached the quarterfinals.

Despite her illness, Maya previously shared that her mother never lost her love for the iconic quiz show.

Even after learning that treatment was no longer effective, Shah continued watching basketball, cheering for Duke University and enthusiastically answering Jeopardy! clues before anyone else in the room.

Outside of television, Shah dedicated nearly two decades to education as a professor at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington, where she inspired countless students throughout her academic career.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Aug. 10 at the Rose Center for the Arts on the college's campus.