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Hoda Kotb and Al Roker on TODAY© Getty Images

Al Roker's hospitalization leaves him missing Today - what happened?

The Today weatherman has been plagued with ill health over the last year

Hannah Hargrave
US Deputy Editor
May 9, 2023
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Al Roker will be replaced temporarily on Today after revealing he's headed back to hospital

Taking to Instagram, the much-loved weatherman made the announcement as he took a stroll through New York City on Monday. "All set for my #totalkneereplacement on Tuesday," he said. "But in the meantime I was able to get one more walk in #starttoday and check out our @facebook page."

His fans rushed to show their support and commented: "You are liquid sunshine, Al! Wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery," and, "Prayers for a speedy recovery, Al. You will be greatly missed. But I think that Dilly Dilly will take care of things nicely. God bless ya, Al. You’re the best."

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It's likely that Dylan Dreyer will stand in for Al, as she did last year when he was away for over a month after suffering from blood clots in his lungs and undergoing a subsequent surgery.

He returned at the top of the new year but announced he would have to take more time off for his knee replacement surgery.

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Before his health took a dive in late 2022, Al was an avid walker, and fans could count on seeing a video update from him everyday on his Instagram chatting to the camera as he got in his routine 10,000 steps a day.

Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker on Today© Getty
Al will have to step back from Today for his surgery

While it's unfortunate that Al has to undergo the surgery, he'll be eager to get back to full health asap. Especially as he and his wife, Deborah Roberts, have something exciting on the horizon - they're going to become grandparents

Al's oldest daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, is expecting her first child with husband Wesley Laga. The Today host learned of her pregnancy by accident, when his son-in-law's brother accidentally made him aware of the news. 

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A similar slip up, this time from Courtney herself, led him to also discover the sex of the baby, who is due in June.

Al Roker and Deborah Roberts attend the Fourth Annual Berggruen Prize Gala celebrating 2019 Laureate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg© Getty Images
Al and his wife Deborah are planning for the arrival of their first grandchild

Al had previously expressed to his daughter that he wanted the sex of his first grandchild to be a surprise, but the secret didn't last very long. 

He spoke to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet, as he was honored at the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Awards' 31st Anniversary Gala in New York City recently, and explained what happened. "Courtney is expecting our first granddaughter," he said, before quickly reverting to using "grandchild."

Al said he saw a sonogram picture from his daughter over text, and told her: "That baby looks just like you," Courtney inadvertently replied with: "Doesn't she?" revealing that she would be having a baby girl.

Deborah Roberts and her husband Al Roker© Instagram
Al has been married to Deborah for 28 years

Courtney, 36, first shared the news of her pregnancy back in March with an Instagram video set to a remix of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby," featuring pictures of the expecting couple along with videos of their sonogram.

"A new adventure is about to begin," she captioned her post next to a baby bottle emoji, and Al along with his wife Deborah Roberts were quick to gush over the special news in the comments section under the post. He excitedly commented: "Here we go!!! So very very happy!!!!! You guys," adding: "Going for Pop-Pop," while Deborah, who is Courtney's step-mom – her mom is Al's ex-wife Alice Bell – wrote: "This is so very exciting!!!"

See more photos of Al and his family - both onscreen and off - below.

Al Roker and Deborah Roberts with their son Nick© Instagram
Al and Deborah with their son Nick
Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin smiling during a wine tasting© Nathan Congleton/NBC
Al and his co-stars Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin enjoying the fruits of wine country
Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer on Monday, April 2, 2023 during Today Show 3rd Hour© Getty
Al adores working alongside his on-screen family at Today
al roker step count© Photo: Instagram
Al is an avid walker and regularly shares updates on his steps with fans
al roker weight loss© Photo: Instagram
The Today host made his health a priority several years ago
Deborah Roberts and Al Roker attend Citymeals On Wheels' 34th Annual Power Lunch at The Plaza Hotel on November 18, 2021© Getty
Al's wife will be by his side for his latest surgery

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