Al Roker ‘More Than Grateful’ To Celebrate 69th Birthday After Health Scares
By Movieguide® Contributor
Al Roker is grateful to celebrate his 69th birthday after a health scare last year.
“This is my 69th anniversary of orbiting the sun, and after everything I went through at the end of last year, I am more than grateful to be celebrating this birthday,” he said in a video posted to Instagram.
Roker listed his family, friends and colleagues as things he is grateful for, adding, “[I’m] glad to be alive.”
In November of 2022, the TODAY anchor was hospitalized after blood clots in his legs moved to his lungs. Movieguide® reported:
The problems began in November, when Roker woke up in the middle of the night with severe stomach pain. An internist ran scans that showed he had blood clots in his lungs that had traveled there from his legs.
He was hospitalized for treatment when doctors discovered he was also bleeding internally. Roker was treated and doctors stabilized him. He was sent home in time for Thanksgiving. However, just a few days later, he felt faint and was rushed back to the hospital.
Roker was still bleeding internally and the doctors were unsure where the blood was coming from. After weeks of tests, they discovered a perforation in his small intestine. The doctors repaired the tear and Roker has since made a full recovery.
“I’m blessed to be alive,” Roker said of his health battle.
Something else Roker is grateful for? Granddaughter Sky, his daughter Courtney’s first child.
He posted photos of him holding Sky, writing, “Best #birthdaypresent.”
Roker spoke about his joy at becoming a grandfather on the TODAY show, saying, “It is magical, it really is.
“The thing is, everyone tells you it’s going to be ‘this thing’ and you don’t know; it’s like when they tell you about having your first child. And then to hold this little girl, knowing almost 35 years ago I held her mom? And here she is, 5 lbs., 15 oz. 19 inches long and she’s just perfect,” he shared.
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