
Al Roker, the beloved weatherman from 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 annually for 27 years. After his initial release, Roker faced additional complications and was readmitted to the hospital, undergoing surgery for internal bleeding caused by two bleeding ulcers. He also had to undergo a knee replacement in May 2023, causing him to take another leave of absence from the show. Roker's health issues and subsequent recovery have been well-documented, and he has openly shared his experiences with the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of hospitalization | November 2022 |
| Reason for hospitalization | Blood clots in his leg that travelled to his lungs |
| Other health issues | Two bleeding ulcers, internal bleeding, gall bladder removed, colon resectioned |
| Length of hospital stay | Four weeks |
| Length of recovery | Two months |
| Return to work | January 6, 2023 |
| Subsequent health issues | Knee replacement surgery in May 2023 |
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What You'll Learn

Al Roker's blood clots
Al Roker, the beloved TV personality and weatherman, 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 for the first time in 27 years.
Roker revealed that he had been admitted to the hospital after discovering a blood clot in his leg, which resulted in some clots entering his lungs. He described his experience as a health scare and expressed gratitude for the excellent medical care he received during his recovery.
Upon his return to the "Today" show in January 2023, Roker shared that he had faced complications during his hospitalization. He disclosed that in addition to the blood clots, he had experienced internal bleeding due to two bleeding ulcers. The surgery to address these issues resulted in the removal of his gallbladder and a resection of his colon. Roker's health issues were so severe that his family initially shielded him from knowing the full extent of his condition, and they were concerned about the possibility of losing him.
Roker's recovery was aided by the news of his first grandchild, and he has since returned to good health. By January 6, 2023, he had a clean bill of health and was back on TV, though he took another leave in May 2023 for a knee replacement surgery. Roker's commitment to health and fitness likely played a crucial role in his recovery and overall well-being.
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Internal bleeding
In November 2022, Al Roker was hospitalized with blood clots in his legs that travelled to his lungs. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and remained in the hospital for four weeks. After his release on December 8, 2022, Roker experienced further complications and was rushed back to the hospital the next day.
Roker's health issues included severe internal bleeding caused by two bleeding ulcers. He lost half of his blood volume, and the medical team struggled to locate the source of the bleeding. He underwent a nearly seven-hour surgery, during which his gallbladder was removed, and his colon was resectioned.
Speaking about his experience, Roker shared that he only learned about the severity of his condition after he left the hospital. His family shielded him from knowing how critical his health had been, and they expressed their relief that he pulled through. Roker's wife, Deborah Roberts, described the ordeal as "the worst roller coaster ride."
Roker made an emotional return to his role as a weatherman on the TODAY show in January 2023, two months after his initial hospitalization. He joked about his multiple surgeries, saying, "I went in for one operation, I got four free." By January 2023, Roker had a clean bill of health and was back on television, although he continued to work on his physical recovery.
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Intensive care unit
Al Roker was admitted to the intensive care unit in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs that spread to his lungs. This was the first time that Roker had been in an intensive care unit. He was released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, and he returned to the "Today" show in January 2023.
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 blood clots that were likely related to a previous COVID infection. After his release from the hospital, Roker experienced additional health complications and was taken back to the hospital via ambulance the day after Thanksgiving. He underwent surgery for two bleeding ulcers, and his colon was resectioned, and his gallbladder was removed.
Roker's health issues were severe, and his family initially shielded him from knowing how sick he was. His wife, Deborah Roberts, described their ordeal as "the worst roller coaster ride." Roker himself reflected on his health scare, stating that "life can turn on a dime." He expressed gratitude for his recovery and the support of his family, including the news of his first grandchild, who was born during his hospitalization.
Roker's hospitalization and recovery highlighted the importance of health and well-being. He has been committed to maintaining his health, including daily exercise and weight management. Roker's experience also underscored the impact of health issues on one's career and the support received from his co-workers and fans during his absence.
Overall, Roker's time in the intensive care unit and subsequent recovery served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing one's health and well-being. It also showcased the love and support of his family and the positive impact of a strong support system during challenging times.
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Roker's recovery
Al Roker's recovery has been a long journey. The TV personality and weatherman was hospitalized in November 2022 with blood clots in his leg that travelled to his lungs. This was likely due to a previous COVID infection. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and faced severe internal bleeding, losing half his blood volume. Doctors struggled to locate the source of the bleeding and finally identified two bleeding ulcers. Roker underwent a seven-hour surgery, during which his gallbladder was removed, and his colon was resectioned. He was discharged on December 8, 2022, but his condition worsened, and he was rushed back to the hospital the next day.
Roker's health issues took a toll on his family, and his wife, Deborah Roberts, recalled it as "the worst roller coaster ride". She and Roker's daughter initially kept him in the dark about the severity of his condition. Roker himself admitted that he \"could have been dead". The family's concern extended beyond his initial hospitalization, as they supported him through a challenging recovery process.
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Roker's return to TV
Rokers return to TV
Al Roker, the beloved TV weatherman, made an emotional return to TV in January 2023 after being hospitalized for blood clots in his lungs and legs the previous November. Roker, who had been absent from the "Today" show for two months, was welcomed back by his co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, who expressed how much they had missed him.
Roker himself shared his joy at being back, saying, "I have missed you guys so much. You are like my second family, and it's just great to be back and wearing pants," he joked. He also shared that he felt pretty good and "back to 100%".
However, Roker's recovery journey was not without challenges. He revealed that he had to do physical therapy and occupational therapy every day to regain his strength after losing muscle mass during his four weeks in the hospital. In May 2023, Roker took another leave of absence from TV to undergo knee replacement surgery, followed by a second knee replacement in 2025.
Despite these setbacks, Roker persevered and successfully returned to TV. In November 2023, he hosted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, an event he had missed hosting the previous year due to his health issues. Roker's co-hosts were thrilled to have him back, with Craig Melvin saying, "The parade was not the same last year without Al."
Roker's health issues served as a reminder that life can turn on a dime, and he expressed gratitude for his recovery and the support of his family and colleagues.
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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.
Al Roker reflected on his health scare and recovery a year later, saying, "Life can turn on a dime." He also shared that he only learned about the severity of his health issues after he left the hospital, as his family initially shielded him from knowing how sick he was.
Yes, Al Roker experienced internal bleeding and had to undergo surgery for two bleeding ulcers. He also had to have his gallbladder removed and his colon resectioned.
Al Roker's hospitalization caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. He was also absent from the TODAY show for two months and had to take a leave of absence in May 2023 for a knee replacement surgery.
Al Roker has recovered from his health issues and returned to hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023. He has also resumed his work on the TODAY show and shared that he feels "pretty good" and "back to 100%."











































