Al Roker: Health, Net Worth, Wife, Height, Salary, News, Age & More

Al Roker is one of the most recognizable weather personalities in American television. For decades, viewers have known him as the weather and feature anchor on NBC's Today, as well as a co-host of the show's third hour.

His career began in local television in the 1970s, long before he became a national television personality. He joined Today in January 1996, making him one of the longest-serving regular personalities in the program's history. In January 2026, NBC celebrated his 30th anniversary on Today.

Beyond weather forecasting, Roker is an author, producer, television personality, and occasional actor. He has also become known for his openness about his health, including his battle with prostate cancer in 2020 and a serious hospitalization involving blood clots in 2022.

So, how old is Al Roker? Who is his wife? How many children does he have? What is his net worth and salary? And how is his health today?

Quick Facts About Al Roker

●      Full name: Albert Lincoln Roker Jr.

●      Known as: Al Roker

●      Born: August 20, 1954

●      Age: 72

●      Birthplace: Queens, New York City

●      Nationality: American

●      Profession: Television personality, weather presenter, journalist, author, producer

●      Education: State University of New York at Oswego

●      Degree: Communications

●      Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)

●      Current wife: Deborah Roberts

●      Married: September 16, 1995

●      Children: Courtney, Leila, and Nicholas

●      Grandchild: Sky Clara Laga

●      Known for: Today, NBC News, Wake Up with Al

●      Years active: 1974–present

How Old Is Al Roker?

Al Roker was born on August 20, 1954, in Queens, New York City.

He is 72 years old.

His birthday was celebrated on August 20, 2026, with his wife, Deborah Roberts, sharing a tribute to him and family photographs.

Roker has therefore spent more than five decades working in television.

He began broadcasting while still in college in the 1970s and eventually became one of America's most recognizable television weather personalities.

What Is Al Roker's Real Name?

Al Roker's birth name is Albert Lincoln Roker Jr.

He has professionally been known as Al Roker throughout most of his television career.

His career records identify his birth name as Albert Lincoln Roker Jr.

Where Was Al Roker Born?

Roker was born in Queens, New York City.

He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan before going to the State University of New York at Oswego, commonly known as SUNY Oswego.

He graduated with a degree in communications.

Interestingly, Roker did not initially set out to become a television meteorologist. His early interests included art and cartooning before broadcasting became his professional path.

How Tall Is Al Roker?

Al Roker is listed at 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 metres).

Who Is Al Roker's Wife?

Al Roker's wife is Deborah Roberts, an award-winning ABC News journalist.

Roberts has worked for ABC News for decades and is known for her work on programs including 20/20, Good Morning America and other ABC News broadcasts.

Roker and Roberts married on September 16, 1995.

Their relationship is notable because both have had high-profile careers in television journalism.

How Did Al Roker Meet Deborah Roberts?

Roker and Roberts met through their work in television.

Roberts was working for NBC News when she and Roker became acquainted. Their professional relationship eventually developed into a romantic relationship.

The couple married in 1995 and have now been together for more than three decades.

In September 2025, Roker celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, describing Roberts as his loving partner and reflecting on their life together. Their long marriage has remained a prominent part of Roker's personal story.

How Many Children Does Al Roker Have?

Al Roker has three children:

●      Courtney Roker

●      Leila Roker

●      Nicholas Roker

Courtney is his daughter from his previous marriage to Alice Bell.

Leila and Nicholas are his children with Deborah Roberts.

Roker has spoken publicly about fatherhood and has remained closely involved in his children's lives.

Who Is Al Roker's First Wife?

Before Deborah Roberts, Al Roker was married to Alice Bell.

Roker and Bell married in 1984 and later divorced in 1994. They adopted their daughter, Courtney, in 1987.

Roker then married Deborah Roberts in 1995.

Who Is Al Roker's Daughter Courtney?

Courtney Roker is Al Roker's eldest child.

She was born in 1987 and is the daughter of Roker and his former wife Alice Bell.

Courtney married Wesley Laga in 2021. The couple welcomed their daughter, Sky Clara Laga, in July 2023, making Al Roker a grandfather.

Courtney has worked in the food and recipe-development space and has been featured by People in stories about Roker's family.

Who Is Al Roker's Daughter Leila?

Leila Roker is Al Roker's daughter with Deborah Roberts.

She was born on November 17, 1998.

Leila graduated from the American University of Paris in 2022 and has pursued work in journalism and public relations.

Roker and Roberts have frequently shared family photographs celebrating Leila's accomplishments.

Who Is Al Roker's Son Nicholas?

Nicholas Albert Roker, commonly called Nick, is Roker's son with Deborah Roberts.

He was born on July 18, 2002.

Nick has openly faced developmental challenges and is on the autism spectrum. His parents have spoken publicly about his achievements and their experiences supporting him.

According to recent reporting, Nick graduated from Landmark College in 2025 with an associate degree in communications. He has also participated in martial arts and Special Olympics activities.

Is Al Roker a Grandfather?

Yes.

Roker became a grandfather in 2023 when his daughter Courtney and her husband Wesley Laga welcomed their daughter, Sky Clara Laga.

Roker has shared photographs with his granddaughter and has spoken warmly about becoming a grandfather.

His immediate family now includes his wife, three adult children and granddaughter.

What Is Al Roker's Net Worth?

Al Roker's net worth is estimated at approximately $70 million.

Celebrity Net Worth lists his estimated fortune at $70 million, while other 2026 publications citing the same estimate have reported the same figure.

However, this is an important distinction:

$70 million is an estimate, not an officially disclosed figure.

His wealth has been accumulated through several decades of television work as well as:

●      Television hosting

●      Weather broadcasting

●      Book publishing

●      Producing

●      Television appearances

●      Acting

●      Special events

●      Other media projects

Roker also operates Al Roker Entertainment, a production company that develops content for television, digital, and streaming platforms. His publisher describes him as the company's CEO.

What Is Al Roker's Salary?

Several media outlets have reported that he earns approximately $10 million per year from Today.

Market Realist reported in April 2026 that Roker was reportedly making $10 million annually and attributed the figure to a reported five-year, $50 million NBC contract.

However, this figure should be treated as a reported estimate rather than an officially confirmed salary.

So, how much does Al Roker make?

His salary is widely reported to be around $10 million per year, but NBC has not publicly confirmed his current compensation.

How Did Al Roker Become Famous?

Roker's television career began long before Today.

While attending SUNY Oswego, he landed a job as a weekend weathercaster at WTVH-TV in Syracuse, New York, in 1974.

After college, he worked in Washington, D.C., before joining WKYC-TV in Cleveland in 1978.

He then moved to WNBC-TV in New York in 1983.

His career trajectory eventually took him to national television.

When Did Al Roker Join Today?

Al Roker joined NBC's Today in January 1996.

In January 2026, NBC celebrated his 30th anniversary with the program.

That milestone made Roker one of the longest-serving personalities associated with Today.

Today, he serves as the show's weather and feature anchor and also co-hosts the third hour of Today.

Is Al Roker Still on Today?

Yes.

Roker remains a weather and feature anchor on Today and a co-host of its third hour.

NBC continues to identify him in those roles.

His 30th anniversary celebration in January 2026 further confirmed his continuing association with the program.

What Is Al Roker's Health Like?

Al Roker has experienced several significant health problems over the years, but he has continued working in television.

His most widely publicized health issues include:

●      Weight-loss surgery

●      Knee replacement surgery

●      Hip replacement surgery

●      Prostate cancer

●      Blood clots in his legs and lungs

His most serious recent health crisis occurred in 2022, when he was hospitalized after developing blood clots.

When Was Al Roker Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer?

Roker revealed in November 2020 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He had surgery in November 2020 and subsequently reported that the treatment had been successful.

His diagnosis was particularly significant because he used his public platform to encourage men to discuss prostate health and undergo appropriate screening.

What Happened to Al Roker in 2022?

In November 2022, Roker was hospitalized after developing blood clots in his legs that traveled to his lungs.

The condition caused him to miss Today for an extended period.

His wife, Deborah Roberts, later described the situation as extremely serious.

Roker eventually returned to Today after his recovery, receiving an emotional welcome from his colleagues and viewers.

His 2022 hospitalization remains one of the most significant health events of his career.

Has Al Roker Had Weight-Loss Surgery?

Yes.

Roker underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2002 after years of struggling with his weight.

According to biographical accounts, he lost approximately 100 pounds following the procedure.

He later wrote about his weight-loss journey in his 2013 book Never Goin' Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle for Good.

Roker has subsequently spoken about maintaining healthier habits, including diet and exercise.

Has Al Roker Had Other Surgeries?

Yes.

Over the years, Roker has undergone several medical procedures.

They include:

●      Left knee replacement in 2001

●      Gastric bypass surgery in 2002

●      Back surgery in 2005

●      Another knee replacement in 2016

●      Emergency carpal tunnel surgery in 2018

●      Hip replacement surgery in 2019

●      Surgery for prostate cancer in 2020

His history of orthopedic procedures has been discussed publicly over the years.

Is Al Roker Sick Now?

There is no reliable evidence of a newly announced major illness affecting Al Roker as of August 2026.

His previous health problems remain part of his public biography, particularly his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020 and blood-clot hospitalization in 2022.

Importantly, reports about Roker's current health should not be confused with health stories concerning his wife, Deborah Roberts, or other members of the Today team.

In 2026, Roker has continued appearing on Today and participating in NBC programming.

What Is the Latest News About Al Roker?

One of the biggest recent milestones in Roker's career was his 30th anniversary on Today.

NBC celebrated the milestone in January 2026, highlighting his decades of weather reporting and his impact on the program.

Another major recent achievement came in June 2025, when Roker received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

NBCUniversal described the honor as recognition of his nearly half-century career in the NBC family.

And in August 2026, Roker celebrated his 72nd birthday with his family, including Deborah Roberts, his children and granddaughter.

Al Roker's Career Achievements

Roker's career extends far beyond presenting the weather.

He has:

●      Worked in television since 1974

●      Joined NBC in 1978

●      Joined WNBC-TV in 1983

●      Joined Today in 1996

●      Hosted Wake Up with Al on The Weather Channel

●      Hosted and contributed to numerous NBC programs

●      Covered major hurricanes and extreme-weather events

●      Written more than a dozen books

●      Founded Al Roker Entertainment

●      Worked as a television producer

●      Appeared in movies and television shows

●      Received multiple Emmy Awards

●      Received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy

●      Set a Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted live weather report

His publisher, Simon & Schuster, describes him as a bestselling author with more than a dozen books and an entertainment producer.

Al Roker's Guinness World Record

One of Roker's more unusual accomplishments came in 2014, when he conducted an extraordinarily long live weather broadcast.

He reported weather continuously for 34 hours, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted live weather report broadcast.

The achievement demonstrated just how much stamina his television career has required.

Al Roker as an Author

Roker has also built a successful career as a writer.

His books include:

●      Never Goin' Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle for Good

●      Don't Make Me Stop This Car!: Adventures in Fatherhood

●      Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times

●      You Look So Much Better in Person

●      Various cookbooks

●      Children's books

●      Mystery novels

His publisher describes him as a New York Times bestselling author and notes that he has written more than a dozen books.

He has written across several genres, including memoir, cooking, children's literature, and mystery fiction.

Al Roker's Acting Career

Roker has also made appearances in movies and television programs.

His credits include appearances in productions such as:

●      Men in Black

●      Will & Grace

●      Treme

●      The Blacklist

●      Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

●      Kung Fu Panda 3

●      Good Burger 2

He has generally appeared as himself or in roles closely connected to his television personality.

Is Al Roker a Meteorologist?

Roker is commonly described as a television meteorologist or weather forecaster, but there is an important technical distinction.

He does not hold a traditional college degree in meteorology. He studied communications at SUNY Oswego.

Nevertheless, he has had a decades-long professional career in weather broadcasting and has held the American Meteorological Society's Television Seal of Approval. His broadcasting career began as a weathercaster while he was still in college.

That combination of professional experience and formal certification helped establish his credibility as a television weather presenter.

What Is Al Roker's Ethnicity?

Al Roker is an American of Bahamian and Jamaican ancestry.

His father, Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., was of Bahamian descent, while Roker's family background also includes Jamaican heritage.

Roker is also related to actress Roxie Roker, best known for playing Helen Willis on The Jeffersons. Through the Roker family, he is related to musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Zoë Kravitz.

What Religion Is Al Roker?

Roker has been identified as an Episcopalian.

He has attended St. James Episcopal Church in Manhattan.

His faith has occasionally appeared in discussions about his family and personal life.

Al Roker's Career Timeline

Year    Career milestone

1954    Born in Queens, New York

1974    Began broadcasting as a college weathercaster

1976    Worked in Washington, D.C.

1978    Joined WKYC-TV in Cleveland

1983    Joined WNBC-TV in New York

1984    Married Alice Bell

1987    Daughter Courtney was adopted

1994    Divorced Alice Bell

1995    Married Deborah Roberts

1996    Joined Today

1998    Daughter Leila was born

2002    Son Nicholas was born; underwent gastric bypass

2009    Began Wake Up with Al

2013    Published Never Goin' Back

2014    Set 34-hour weather-reporting Guinness World Record

2020    Diagnosed with prostate cancer

2022    Hospitalized with blood clots

2023    Became a grandfather

2025    Received News & Documentary Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award

2026    Celebrated 30 years on Today and turned 72

Sources include NBCUniversal, SUNY, and biographical records.

Conclusion

Al Roker's career is remarkable not simply because he has been on television for decades, but because he has managed to remain relevant while the television industry around him has changed dramatically.

He began broadcasting in 1974, joined NBC in 1978, moved to WNBC in 1983, and became a permanent part of Today in 1996. In January 2026, NBC celebrated his 30 years on the program, making him one of its most enduring personalities.

At 72 years old, Roker remains active on television. He is married to ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, and they have two children together, Leila and Nicholas. Roker also has an older daughter, Courtney, from his previous marriage to Alice Bell.

His family has expanded to include a granddaughter, Sky Clara Laga, who was born to Courtney in 2023.

Health has been one of the more difficult chapters of Roker's life. He survived prostate cancer diagnosed in 2020 and a serious blood-clot-related hospitalization in 2022. Those experiences have made him particularly open about health and the importance of seeking medical attention when something feels wrong.

In 2025, Roker's decades of work received one of the industry's highest honors when he was given a News & Documentary Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.

For someone who began as a college weathercaster more than 50 years ago, Al Roker's continued presence on Today is a testament to the longevity of his career—and to the unusually strong connection he has built with television audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Al Roker diagnosed with?

Al Roker has had several significant health issues. Most notably, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and underwent surgery to treat it. He was also hospitalized in 2022 after developing blood clots in his legs that traveled to his lungs.

Roker has also undergone several surgeries over the years, including knee, hip and back procedures. In recent years, he has publicly emphasized exercise, fitness and maintaining his health.

2. What is Al Roker's salary per year?

Al Roker's annual salary is estimated at $10 million per year. Parade reports that his most recent NBC contract was a five-year, $50 million deal, which works out to approximately $10 million annually. However, NBC has not publicly confirmed the exact terms of his current compensation.

Therefore, $10 million per year should be described as a reported estimate rather than a confirmed salary.

3. Why is Al Roker famous?

Al Roker is famous primarily for his long-running career as the weather anchor and feature anchor on NBC's Today show. He became the program's regular weekday weather forecaster in January 1996, succeeding Willard Scott.

Roker is also known for hosting NBC's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage, appearing on television programs, writing books, and making appearances on Broadway. He has received numerous Emmy Awards during his career.

4. What happened with Al Roker?

Al Roker has experienced several major health challenges, particularly prostate cancer in 2020 and serious blood clots in 2022, which resulted in hospitalization and a temporary absence from Today.

However, Roker remains active professionally. In 2026, he celebrated his 30th anniversary on Today and has said he has no plans to retire anytime soon. He continues to work on the show's third hour and remains involved in television and other projects.

So, despite past health problems and occasional absences, Al Roker has not retired and continues to work at NBC as of 2026.