Why Al Roker Is Missing From ‘Today’
Those who tuned into Today on Feb. 11 likely noticed that Al Roker was missing from the show. But why was he absent? Let’s take a closer look.
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Roker was not present for the NBC program’s third hour on Tuesday. Instead, Laura Jarrett and Peter Alexander filled in alongside Dylan Dreyer.
Although Today didn’t share why the beloved meteorologist was missing, a quick search on social media revealed the likely answer.
On Monday, Feb. 10, Roker’s daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, 37, revealed that her mother, Alice Bell—Roker’s first wife—died at age 77.
“She was my mother, my heart, and the most loving grandmother to Sky,” Courtney shared with her Instagram followers. “I was with her for her last breath, and I will carry her love with me always.”
Courtney didn’t share her mother’s cause of death; however, in the update, she included photos of Bell holding her toddler granddaughter while wearing nasal cannulas for oxygen.
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As of writing, Roker has not publicly commented on Bell’s death. It’s unclear when he will return to his Today duties following the loss of his ex-wife.
Roker and Bell were married from 1984 to 1994; they adopted Courtney shortly after she was born in 1987.
In 1995, Roker married ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, and they welcomed two children: Leila, 26, and Nick, 22.
Feb. 11 was a busy day for Today fill-ins, as Craig Melvin was also missing from the show. During the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours, Alexander took over for him alongside Savannah Guthrie.