Al Roker is one of the most established and revered weathermen to ever stand in front of the green screen, but he’s going to have a new title in a couple of months – grandfather. It was revealed on March 14 when his eldest daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, announced she was pregnant with her first child.
She shared the news on Instagram with a video collage of her and her husband, Wesley Laga, which eventually gave a look at the incoming baby on a sonogram. “A new adventure is about to begin,” she wrote in the caption. They’ve been married since June 4, 2021, but are now adding to the family.
Al Roker, who shares Courtney with his ex-wife Alice Bell, shared his excitement in the comments, writing, “Here we go!!! So very very happy!!!!! You guys,” he wrote, adding that he’ll be ‘going for Pop-Pop’ as his nickname. Roker’s current wife, Deborah Roberts, also commented, “This is so very exciting!!!”
On March 15, the day after Courtney’s announcement, Al Roker shared and celebrated the news with his TODAY family – he has been with TODAY since 1996 and NBC since 1978. He explained his reasoning behind the ‘Pop-Pop’ nickname, saying he wanted to honor his dad, who also went by the nickname.
He also revealed how he found out about the incoming baby, who is due in July 2023. “I’ve known for a while. They just decided to go ahead (in announcing it). Wes’s goofy brother accidentally dropped it in a text. Thanks, Cory!” he said on air. No gender or name has been revealed, but we can’t wait to find out!
Roker was later asked what type of grandfather he would be – especially with this being his first one. “It depends on what you consider the best grandfather. For this grandchild, I’m going to be the best grandpa ever because I’m going to do whatever I can to spoil this kid,” he said, smiling from cheek to cheek.
As for his wife, Deborah, he said she’s ‘still not quite sure about the grandma thing, but we’re very excited,’ adding that it ‘hasn’t quite sunken in’ for her. The TODAY family celebrated with a champagne toast – along with Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer – during the third hour of the show.
Al Roker Also Shares Two Children With Wife Deborah
While this is the first time Al Roker will carry the title of grandfather, it likely won’t be the last. Courtney is his only child with ex-wife Alice Bell – they adopted her as an infant in 1987 – but he also shares two children with his current wife, Deborah Roberts – who he has been happily married to, since 1995.
Three years after tying the knot, Roker and Roberts gave birth to their first child together – a daughter named Leila, who was born on November 17, 1998. Four years later, they gave birth to their second child together – a son named Nick, who was born on July 18, 2002. Leila is now 24, while Nick turns 21 soon.
As for Roker, he’ll be turning 69 years old in August and is happy to be alive to see this day. Back in November, he was treated for blood clots in his lungs, internal bleeding, bleeding ulcers, colon surgery, and gallbladder removal surgery – all of which ended up saving his life as he took time away from TODAY.
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It’s not the first time he has struggled with his health. He underwent total knee arthroplasty in 2001, gastric bypass surgery in 2002, a back operation in 2005, knee replacement surgery in 2016, carpal tunnel surgery in 2018, hip replacement surgery in 2019, and surgery to treat prostate cancer in 2020.
We’re happy he’s healthy today and excited that he gets to celebrate being a grandfather soon!
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