What We Know About Al Roker's Health

Find out why Al Roker was missing from "TODAY" for two months—and why he'll be away again in the spring.

Al Roker returned to TV on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, after an extended absence for medical reasons—and now he'll be absent from TODAY again. Roker revealed in late March 2023 that he'd undergo a knee replacement surgery in late April, so he'd be out again.

Related: Get to Know Al Roker's Other Half Deborah Roberts

The TV personality missed his first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 27 years after being hospitalized for blood clots. Thankfully, Roker left the hospital in time to have Thanksgiving dinner at home, but was admitted again at the end of November for "unspecified reasons," according to TODAY, and missed the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree on Nov. 30, 2022.

While Roker told his co-workers on the TODAY show that he's "got a number of issues," he shared, "I feel good, I feel strong, and every day I feel a little bit better."

Here is everything we know about Al Roker's health.

Why was Al Roker in the hospital?

Roker revealed on Nov. 18, 2022, that he had recently been admitted to the hospital "with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs."

In a post on Instagram he wrote, "After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have a great weekend, everyone."

Related: Al Roker's Best Grilling Tips

What is Al Roker's illness?

Roker was hospitalized for blood clots in November 2022.

What is wrong with Al Roker?

The You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success author has been recovering after being hospitalized for blood clots in November 2022. According to Page Six, Roker was taken back to the hospital via ambulance the day after he was first released on Thanksgiving. One witness told the outlet, “Al was taken from his home in a stretcher back to the hospital on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. His condition was worrying, but once back in the hospital, he improved."

As of Jan. 6, 2023, Roker has a clean bill of health and is back on TV.

Does Al Roker have blood clots?

Roker was first admitted to the hospital in November 2022 with a blood clot in his leg, which he revealed sent "some clots" into his lungs.

Related: TODAY Staff Surprises Al Roker As He Recovers at Home

Where is Al Roker on TODAY?

Roker has been absent from the NBC program due to his health scare. Speaking to his TODAY colleagues about why he hasn't come back to the show just yet, he said: "You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital, and I was in the hospital for four weeks."

The dad of three added, "It’s just a certain amount of weakness. I’m doing physical therapy every day, occupational therapy. I've got to just get my strength back."

Roker is back on TODAY as of Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Where has Al Roker been?

Roker is recovering at home after being admitted to the hospital twice in November. On Dec. 8, the weatherman announced that he was back at home following his second hospital stint.

"Home! So incredibly grateful to family, friends, medical folks, @todayshow family and all your thoughts and prayers," he wrote on Instagram.

Is Al Roker sick?

Roker is recovering after being hospitalized for blood clots, and as he told his TODAY colleagues, he just needs to get his "strength back."

In 2020, Roker revealed that he was battling prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have his prostate removed; he's since made a full recovery from that health issue.

Thankfully, as of January 2023, Roker is feeling better.

Is there an update on Al Roker?

Roker returned to TODAY on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Roker shared an update on Dec. 12, 2022, telling his TODAY co-workers that every day he feels "a little bit better."

Days after the update, the weatherman shared pictures of his TODAY "family" visiting him. Alongside the heartwarming photos, Roker penned, "Words cannot express how much I love my @todayshow family for coming over to do a little caroling including a special rendition of 'I’ll Be Home For Christmas.'"

Next, find out which TODAY host was the only one who went to their high school prom.