On September 17, 2017, Carson Daly received the tragic news that his mother, Pattie Daly Caruso, had died due to a heart attack and now, 17 months later, he’s opening up about her shocking passing.

The 45-year-old star appeared in a new segment for the Today show (he also wrote a personal essay for the outlet’s site) on Thursday, February 14 and spoke about his mom’s death in honor of American Heart Month. “I find myself this month being hyperaware about women and their health, as it pertains to the heart,” Carson began. “Heart disease is the most common cause of death in American women. And I have been directly impacted by that. It is personal, it is painful, but if it helps just one family, then it’s certainly worth it.”

Carson Daly Pattie
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The TRL alum continued, “My mom and I had a special relationship. We were very, very close. She lived everyday like it was her last. She had a saying, ‘Go big or don’t go at all.’“

Carson then revealed how shocked he was to learn of his mother’s death. “I never would’ve guessed that my mom was going to die of a heart attack … Nothing in the heart, no symptoms,” the TV personality explained. “Never saw it coming. When the phone rang in the middle of the night, I answered the phone going, ‘Is dad okay?’ And it was my sister [Quinn] and she said, ‘No, it’s not dad, it’s mom.’ I don’t know how to articulate my relationship with my mom. The love was so strong that the hurt was so strong.”

Carson Daly
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The radio personality decided to also share the final text he received from his mother, just a couple of hours before she died. It read: “We love you, the best son on the planet Earth. So happy to have a light out in front. [Carson had changed a light bulb at the house.] Thanks for all you did and do to make our lives better and to make us so proud of you. Hope you’re having a wonderful dinner with Siri [Carson’s wife] … and a great day tomorrow together. All of our love always, Mom and Dad.“

Carson received another bit of terrible news just one month after Pattie died, as his stepfather, David Caruso also passed away. “Pops passed away today with absolute dignity and pride,” he wrote alongside a photo of his stepdad on Instagram. “The greatest man we ever knew. Our hero. He exemplified great faith, loyalty to family and hard work. He provided us all with so much. We’re grateful. His legacy lives on in all of us and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He’s reunited with mom now. Our faith remains strong. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.”

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