Al Roker made his return to the Today show on Wednesday, February 12, following
a brief absence after the death of his ex-wife, Alice Bell. The 70-year-old weather anchor had taken a break from the NBC morning show on Tuesday, February 11, but was back in action the next day, sharing an exciting moment with fans. Roker
snapped a selfie with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after the Super
Bowl LVII MVP appeared on the first hour of the show. He captioned the photo on Instagram, “What a thrill meeting Super Bowl champion MVP Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts this morning at the Today Show.”
Roker’s return to Today came just two days after his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, shared the heartbreaking news of her mother’s passing on Instagram. Courtney posted a heartfelt tribute to Bell, writing, “She was my mother, my heart, and the most loving grandmother to Sky.” She added, “I was with her for her last breath, and I will carry her love with me always,” accompanied by photos of herself and her 19-month-old daughter, Sky, with Bell. Courtney, 37, is married to Wesley Laga, and they have a daughter, Sky. Although Courtney did not provide the cause of death, a photo in her tribute showed Bell holding her granddaughter while using an oxygen tube.
Though Al Roker did not directly address Bell’s death on air during his Today return, his colleagues at NBC showed their support. Former co-host Tamron Hall wrote in the comments section of Courtney’s post, “Sending our love,” while Today contributor Joy Bauer expressed her condolences, saying, “So much love.”
Roker and Bell had a daughter together, Courtney, whom they adopted in 1987, three years after their marriage. They eventually divorced in 1994. After their split, Roker remarried Deborah Roberts in 1995, and the couple went on to have two children: daughter Leila, 26, and son Nick, 22. Over the years, Courtney has publicly celebrated both her mother and stepmother on social media. In a September 2023 Instagram birthday tribute, she affectionately called Roberts, 64, her “bonus mom.” In that post, Courtney expressed her wishes for Roberts, saying, “More blessings, love, joy and peace in your life today and forever.”
Courtney also shared her gratitude toward her father in another heartfelt social media post. In May 2022, she posted a special tribute to Roberts for Mother’s Day, calling her one of the “three most important women in my life,” alongside her mother and her mother-in-law, Barbara Laga.
Courtney has maintained a close relationship with her father over the years, and the pair even collaborated on a cookbook, Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By, which was set to be released in October 2024. In an August 2024 Instagram post for his 70th birthday, Courtney praised her father, writing, “Happy 70th Birthday to the man who has been my hero and my biggest supporter.” She went on to express her gratitude, saying, “Dad, your strength, kindness, patience and love have shaped me into who I am today. I’m so grateful for every moment we’ve shared and all the wisdom you’ve passed down. Cheers to many more years of laughter, love, and memories.”
Al Roker’s return to Today comes amid a period of personal loss, as he navigates the grief of losing his ex-wife. Despite the difficult circumstances, Roker continues to press on with his professional commitments, receiving support from family, friends, and fans alike. His dedication to his career and the love shown by his loved ones during this time is a testament to his resilience and character.
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