Al Roker is reflecting on one of the most difficult moments in his life, and he has one musician to thank for helping him get through it.
In November 2022, fans of the Today show host were devastated to learn he was going on-leave after battling serious health issues. At the time, Al had been hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs, which caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. While he's opened up about the severity of what happened and his road to recovery, he went on Instagram to reveal that Elton John's actually made all the difference to him during this time.
As viewers witnessed Al walking on the treadmill with Elton's "Philadelphia Freedom" playing in the background, he relayed an emotional message about how much the artist meant to him throughout his healing journey.
"You know, it's about a year since I was in the hospital," he said in the November 21 clip. [I] had all your thoughts and prayers, and it meant so, so much. My family meant so, so much. And the artist that kept me going? Mr. Elton John! Find your tune and get going!"
Shortly after the news anchor posted the snippet to social media, it didn't take long for one major supporter in his life to comment on it. "So proud of you and grateful for your recovery! ❤️🩹," wrote Al's wife Deborah Roberts in the comments.
She wasn't the only one grateful for Al one year after his health issues. Fans immediately rallied around the TV personality to share words of support for how far he's come.
"God bless you @alroker keep it up," one person wrote on Instagram. "So happy to see this!! Grateful!!" another rejoiced. "I was just thinking about you yesterday and thinking of how it was a year ago. So thankful for your recovery!" a different follower added.
Amen!
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
