Al Roker, a treasured American TV personality, has resumed his role on the ‘Today’ show, following a period of personal loss. Roker had been absent from the NBC morning show, where he has been a mainstay for many years, due to a devastating family loss.
Roker’s wife, Deborah Roberts, shared the couple’s grief on social media. She revealed that they were mourning the loss of their beloved 17-year-old dog, Pepper. In an Instagram post, Roberts published a tribute to their family pet, expressing how much she would be missed. She stated, “Pepper brought joy to our family for 17 years…She was our sweet, devoted, lovable and hardheaded Pepper. We will miss her.”
Roker himself also took to his Instagram account to share his sorrow. The weatherman posted a photo of Pepper, captioning it, “A part of our family for 17 years…I really miss her.”
Following this period of mourning, Roker returned to his position on ‘Today.’ Co-anchor Hoda Kotb acknowledged his return by paying tribute to Pepper on-air. She announced, “We’re so happy to have you back…and we’re sorry for your loss.”
Despite his recent grief, Al Roker reassured his audience and co-workers that he’s doing well and moving forward. He responded to Kotb’s on-air tribute saying, “It’s good to be back. We loved her but I think she was ready to go.”
By sharing their grief publically, Roker and Roberts have touched the hearts of many of their viewers and fans. The loss of a family pet is a universal experience that many can associate with, allowing audiences to connect further with the popular TV host and his family.
Throughout his career, Roker’s warmth and authenticity have endeared him to millions, qualities evident now more than ever. Despite his personal loss, he continues to be a positive and comforting presence on the ‘Today’ show, reflecting the resilience that so many viewers admire.
Last modified: February 15, 2025
