Ethan Rhodes
Al Roker, the beloved TV personality and weatherman for the TODAY show, was hospitalized in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs that spread to his lungs. This health scare caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which he had hosted consistently for 27 years. Roker's health issues included severe internal bleeding, which resulted in him losing half his blood volume and undergoing multiple surgeries. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, but his recovery journey continued with physical and occupational therapy. By January 2023, Roker had returned to the TODAY show, expressing his joy at being back and sharing his signature humor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Hospitalization | November 2022 |
| Reason for Hospitalization | Blood clots in his legs which spread to his lungs |
| Other Health Issues | Internal bleeding, two bleeding ulcers, had to get his gall bladder removed and his colon resectioned |
| Length of Hospital Stay | Four weeks |
| Length of Recovery | Two to three weeks |
| Additional Information | Roker was hospitalized for the first time in 27 years and missed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |
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What You'll Learn
Al Roker's health scare in 2022
Al Roker, the beloved TV personality and weatherman on TODAY, experienced a health scare in 2022 that resulted in multiple hospital stays and a challenging recovery process. In November 2022, Roker was initially admitted to the hospital after discovering blood clots in his left leg that had travelled to his lungs. This health issue caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which he had hosted consistently for 27 years.
Upon his release from the hospital in time for Thanksgiving, Roker experienced further complications and was rushed back to the hospital the very next day. This time, he faced severe internal bleeding, which resulted in the loss of half his blood volume. According to Roker, this issue was likely related to a previous COVID infection in September. The internal bleeding proved challenging for medical professionals to diagnose and treat, and Roker's family later shared that they thought they might lose him.
Roker underwent a nearly seven-hour surgery to address two bleeding ulcers, during which doctors also performed a colon resection and removed his gallbladder. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, and began the road to recovery. Reflecting on his experience, Roker shared that he only learned about the severity of his health issues after he left the hospital, as his family had initially shielded him from the truth.
In January 2023, Roker made an emotional return to the TODAY show, joking about his multiple surgeries and expressing his joy at being back with his colleagues. He shared that he felt pretty good and was happy to be back to hosting duties. Roker's health scare served as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and his commitment to health and fitness was credited with contributing to his recovery and overall well-being.
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Blood clots in his legs and lungs
Al Roker was hospitalized in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. This was likely related to a previous COVID infection.
Roker's health issues caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. He was hospitalized for four weeks and underwent surgery for two bleeding ulcers, which included the removal of his gallbladder and a resection of his colon. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, but was readmitted the next day due to unspecified reasons. Roker's recovery included physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength.
Roker reflected on his health scare a year later, expressing gratitude for his recovery and the support of his family and colleagues. He returned to hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023 and shared his experience on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” acknowledging that his family initially shielded him from knowing the severity of his condition. Roker's wife, Deborah Roberts, described the ordeal as a “roller coaster ride,” and the family shared their relief that he survived the life-threatening crisis.
Roker's commitment to health and fitness likely contributed to his recovery and resilience. He has maintained a 100-lb weight loss for over two decades and consistently adheres to his health regimens. Roker's experience underscores the importance of prioritizing health and taking proactive measures to manage one's well-being.
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Internal bleeding and surgery
Al Roker was hospitalized in November 2022 due to internal bleeding and blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, but was re-admitted the next day due to unspecified reasons. Roker's health issues were severe, and his recovery was a challenging journey. He experienced internal bleeding caused by two bleeding ulcers, resulting in a loss of half his blood volume. The medical team performed surgery to address the ulcers and took necessary measures to stop the bleeding. During the procedure, they also removed his gallbladder and performed a colon resection.
Roker's hospitalization and subsequent surgery were life-threatening, and his family was extremely concerned about his condition. They shielded him from the severity of his health issues during his initial hospital stay. It was only after he returned home that they shared the frightening details of his illness. Roker's wife, Deborah Roberts, described the experience as an emotional roller coaster, revealing that they genuinely feared they might lose him.
The internal bleeding that Roker experienced was likely related to the blood clots he had after a previous COVID infection in September. The combination of these two conditions resulted in a complicated medical situation that required extensive treatment and monitoring. Roker's health scare served as a stark reminder that life can turn on a dime and the importance of prioritizing one's well-being.
Following his hospitalization and surgery, Roker made a gradual recovery. He returned to hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023, a role he had missed the previous year due to his health issues. By January 6, 2023, he had a clean bill of health and resumed his television appearances. However, he continued to work on regaining his strength and followed a daily routine of physical and occupational therapy.
Roker's health crisis was a challenging and eye-opening experience for him and his family. It highlighted the fragility of life and the importance of good health. Through his recovery, Roker gained a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for his loved ones. He also acknowledged the crucial role his family played in his recovery, especially the joy he felt upon learning about his first grandchild, who was born during his hospitalization.
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Recovery and return to TV
Al Roker was hospitalized in November 2022 for blood clots in his leg that travelled to his lungs. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, but was re-admitted the next day due to unspecified reasons. During his initial hospitalization, Roker underwent surgery for two bleeding ulcers, and his gallbladder was removed, and he had his colon resectioned.
After his release from the hospital, Roker returned home to recover. He experienced a setback when he had to be rushed back to the hospital by ambulance the day after Thanksgiving. Despite these health challenges, Roker was determined to spend the holidays with his family and successfully made Christmas dinner for them.
Roker made his emotional return to the "Today" show on January 6, 2023, after a two-month absence. He was welcomed back by his co-hosts, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, with tears and joy. Roker expressed his happiness at being back, stating that he had missed his colleagues and felt like he was back to 100%.
However, Roker's health journey continued, and in May 2023, he took another leave of absence from the show to undergo a knee replacement surgery. By June 2025, Roker had faced a range of health issues, including surgeries to replace both knees and a hip, as well as a battle with aggressive prostate cancer in 2020. Despite these challenges, he maintained his commitment to health and fitness, sharing his weight loss journey and daily exercise regimen.
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Roker's family protected him
Al Roker, the beloved TODAY weatherman, was admitted to the hospital in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. This health scare caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years.
Roker's family played a crucial role in supporting him during this challenging time. His wife, Deborah Roberts, and younger daughter, Leila Roker, initially shielded him from the severity of his condition. They only revealed the full extent of his illness after he had returned home from the hospital. Roberts described the experience as a "roller coaster ride," and the family admitted that they "really did think [they] were going to lose him" while doctors struggled to find the source of his internal bleeding.
Roker's family provided him with emotional support and comfort during his recovery. They were by his side as he underwent surgery and received treatment for his condition. The family's love and care undoubtedly contributed to Roker's recovery and return to good health.
In addition to Roberts and Leila, Roker's extended family, including his brother and his older daughter, Courtney, likely offered their support and assistance during this difficult period. Roker's family bond and their protective nature towards him demonstrate the strength of their love and commitment to one another.
Roker has since made a full recovery and returned to his hosting duties, including the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He credits his family's support as an integral part of his healing process, and his experience underscores the importance of family in times of medical crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
Al Roker was hospitalized in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs.
Yes, Al Roker was discharged from the hospital in time for Thanksgiving dinner at home. However, he was taken back to the hospital via ambulance the next day due to a "tsunami" of life-threatening issues.
Al Roker's condition was described as "worrying" by a witness. His wife, Deborah Roberts, also shared that it was "frightening beyond belief," and she often cried at home, fearing she might lose him.
