Nearly Life-Threatening Clots Struck Without Warning (Image Credits: Hollywoodlife.com)
Veteran “Today” show weatherman Al Roker navigated perilous health obstacles in recent years, emerging resilient and committed to his craft at age 71.[1][2]
Nearly Life-Threatening Clots Struck Without Warning
In November 2022, Roker landed in the hospital after a blood clot formed in his leg and traveled to his lungs.[3] The condition followed a bout with COVID-19 the previous month and marked the first time he missed hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1995.[4]
Doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center treated the pulmonary embolism aggressively. Roker went home for Thanksgiving dinner but required readmission soon after due to severe internal bleeding. He lost half his blood volume from two bleeding ulcers.[4]
A complex seven-hour procedure addressed the crisis. Surgeons resected part of his colon, removed his gallbladder, and reconstructed his duodenum. Roker later quipped, “I went in for one operation, I got four free.”[4] His wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, described the episode as “the worst roller coaster ride you have ever been on” and called him “a living, breathing miracle.”[4]
Grueling Hospital Stay and Path to Rehabilitation
Roker spent weeks in intensive care amid collapsing veins and nutritional depletion. His family shielded him from the full gravity of his condition. He only grasped the extent after returning home on December 8, 2022.
Physical and occupational therapy rebuilt his strength after muscle atrophy set in. Roker credited his pre-crisis fitness routine – often exceeding 10,000 daily steps – for aiding survival. Doctors noted that his conditioning likely prevented a worse outcome.[4]
By January 6, 2023, he rejoined the “Today” team, appearing thinner but determined. “Getting back is tonic,” he said, adding he felt good despite needing yearly “tuneups.”[4] The ordeal prompted lifestyle tweaks, including more rest and selective socializing.
Revision Knee Surgery Added to the Challenges
Months later, in May 2023, Roker underwent a total knee replacement on his left leg – a revision of a prior implant from over two decades earlier.[2] The procedure at Hospital for Special Surgery, led by Dr. David J. Mayman, had been delayed by the blood clot episode.
- This marked his third knee operation overall, following replacements in his 40s and a 2022 incident.
- Recovery proved tougher than anticipated, involving intensive physical therapy, icing, and elevation.
- Roker called it his “toughest one yet” but returned to the studio after about four weeks.[1]
- His wife observed the revision’s added difficulty compared to initial surgeries.
The weatherman shared progress updates, including photos of his progress, emphasizing steady rehabilitation.[2]
Full Recovery and No Retirement in Sight
Today, Roker stands fully recovered from both crises. He marked five years since prostate cancer surgery in November 2025 with negligible PSA levels and remission intact.[1]
Reflecting a year after the clots, he noted, “Life can turn on a dime,” while stressing daily movement like treadmill weather prep for 6,000 to 7,000 steps.[3] At 71, amid retirement speculation, Roker affirmed, “I love what I do. I feel good… I’m just gonna keep going.”[1]
Key Takeaways:
- Prior fitness levels can significantly influence recovery from serious setbacks.
- Family support and timely medical intervention proved crucial in Roker’s cases.
- Intentional health habits sustain long-term vitality on the job.
Al Roker’s journey underscores resilience amid health trials, inspiring viewers with his unwavering positivity. What aspects of his story resonate most with you? Share in the comments.
