Al Roker Steps Away From ‘Today’—but for the Sweetest Reason of All

After decades of greeting America every morning with his familiar smile and forecast, Al Roker briefly stepped away from NBC’s Today show this week. The reason wasn’t illness, travel, or production duties—it was love.

Roker, 69, took time off to celebrate nearly three decades of marriage to his wife, Deborah Roberts, the respected ABC News journalist. In a television landscape where careers often demand constant motion, his decision to pause and focus on his marriage struck a chord with viewers and colleagues alike.

“He’s always the first one here, always thinking about work,” co-anchor Dylan Dreyer said on air, her voice catching slightly. “But this week he’s putting love first—and that’s beautiful.”

A Marriage Rooted in Friendship and Respect

Roker and Roberts first met in the early 1990s, when both were rising through the ranks of network television. He was already part of Today’s broadcast team; she was making her mark as a correspondent for 20/20 and Good Morning America. Their friendship quickly grew into a partnership built on humor, shared values, and the mutual understanding that comes from juggling demanding news careers.

They married in 1995 and have since raised a blended family that includes daughter Leila, son Nicholas, and Roker’s older daughter Courtney from his first marriage. Over the years, their relationship has survived long filming schedules, career changes, and even serious health scares.

In recent years, Roker’s openness about his medical battles—including prostate-cancer surgery and blood-clot complications—has made him one of the most relatable figures on American television. Through it all, Roberts has been by his side, and both have spoken candidly about the strength they draw from each other.

“She’s my rock,” Roker once said on Today. “I wouldn’t be here without her.”

A Celebration of Enduring Love

This latest break from the spotlight wasn’t a dramatic exit—just a heartfelt pause. The couple spent their anniversary quietly, away from the cameras, reflecting on 25 years of marriage that have turned into nearly three decades together.

On social media, Roberts posted a series of photographs from throughout their marriage, writing: “Through sunshine, storms, and everything in between, there’s nobody else I’d want beside me. Here’s to more laughter and more love.”

Roker responded with his trademark humor: “I’m forecasting many more years of happiness.”

The exchange delighted fans, who flooded the comments with congratulations and praise for what many called “a rare example of love that lasts in television.”

Colleagues Feel the Warmth

Inside Studio 1A, Roker’s brief absence didn’t go unnoticed. During a segment about relationships, Dreyer and co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb offered on-air tributes to the veteran broadcaster. Guthrie described him as “the heartbeat of the show,” while Kotb noted that his marriage to Roberts is “the definition of partnership.”

“It’s so easy in this business to let the job take over,” Kotb said. “But Al reminds us that family comes first.”

Behind the scenes, producers sent flowers to the couple’s home, and NBC posted a short highlight reel of Roker and Roberts through the years—at award shows, charity events, and family gatherings—underscoring how closely their love story has been woven into his public persona.

An Example Beyond Television

The Roker-Roberts marriage has long been viewed as one of the most stable in the media world. Colleagues describe them as “fiercely supportive,” often cheering each other’s achievements across rival networks.

When Roberts earned a promotion at ABC News last year, Roker publicly congratulated her on Today, calling her “the hardest-working person I know.” She, in turn, has praised his resilience after surgery and his commitment to mentoring young journalists.

Their bond extends beyond broadcasting. Both are active in advocacy for people with disabilities, inspired by their son Nicholas’s developmental challenges. They’ve often spoken about how parenting strengthened their empathy and communication.

“We learned patience from Nick,” Roberts said in a 2022 interview. “He’s taught us that love is an action, not just a feeling.”

Fans React With Joy

As news of Roker’s temporary leave spread, fans shared messages across social media celebrating the couple’s enduring affection.

“In a world where everything changes fast, Al and Deborah remind us what staying power looks like,” one viewer wrote on X. Another added, “They’ve shown that you can chase your dreams and still put love first.”

The Forecast for the Future

Roker will return to Today next week, refreshed and smiling as always. But this small act—choosing time with his wife over airtime—has made a lasting impression. In an industry defined by constant deadlines, his decision served as a gentle reminder that even in the spotlight, real life matters most.

As one producer summed it up: “Al’s given us weather reports for years, but this one’s the forecast everyone needed—a forecast for love that endures.”

After almost three decades together, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts continue to show that true partnership is less about grand gestures and more about everyday devotion. Their anniversary wasn’t just a celebration of the past—it was proof that the strongest relationships, like the most reliable forecasts, are built on trust, persistence, and a little bit of sunshine after the storm.