NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Today’ show meteorologist Al Roker has recently reflected on his huge milestone as the beloved host celebrated his 69th birthday.
Roker expressed his gratitude on the big day by taking to his Instagram. He shared a sweet inspirational video and reflected on how “grateful” he is for this day.
The ‘Today’ weatherman spent his special day in the tranquil surroundings of his second home in Hudson Valley, away from the bustling streets of New York City.
While he took the weekend to unwind and bask in the warmth of birthday love from his family, Roker also made sure to connect with his dedicated fans.
He shared a glimpse of the festivities on social media and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering support over the years, making his birthday celebration even more special.
‘Today’ Al Roker’s special message
On August 20, Al Roker marked his 69th birthday with a weekend filled with memorable moments. Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste provided a birthday serenade, adding a musical flourish to the celebration.
Roker shared a tranquil video from his morning lakeside walk, where he reflected on the significance of this year's birthday, saying, "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.”
Back in November 2022, Roker faced a harrowing health crisis when he was hospitalized due to blood clots that had migrated from his legs to his lungs, coupled with internal bleeding.
His wife, Deborah Roberts, candidly shared, "We really did think we were going to lose him," during a conversation with Maria Shriver.
In the video, Roker expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had sent him well wishes over the past year.
He also extended his appreciation to the Start Today community, the platform for his Walk with Roker initiative and Facebook group.
Throughout his recovery from a May knee replacement surgery, Roker kept his Start Today followers updated on his progress through videos and candid reflections on self-care.
Of course, Roker didn't forget to thank his family in his birthday reflection, especially Roberts, "for getting me out of the hospital," and his three children, Nick, Leila, and Courtney, with a special shoutout to his granddaughter, Sky Clara, born on July 3.
He concluded his video with a heartwarming statement, saying, "A lot to be grateful for on this birthday and glad to be alive," before blowing a kiss to the camera.
He revealed that part of his special day involved driving his son Nick back to college for his sophomore year, blending family duties with festivities.
Al Roker’s special birthday gift
One of Roker’s birthday gifts, a new Blackstone griddle from his wife Roberts, added to his outdoor appliance collection, fondly dubbed his "ring of fire."
Birthday wishes poured in from friends and family, with his daughter Courtney sharing a touching Instagram post. She posted two adorable photos of her and her dad from her baby days, juxtaposed with a recent snapshot of Rokert with his granddaughter Sky, conveying warm wishes and love.
She captioned the post, “Happy happy birthday to the best dad and the most amazing pop pop to Sky.”
Roberts joined in the celebration, sharing a series of photos capturing Roker’s essence, from a dapper lavender formal ensemble to a beaming beach selfie with a lighthouse backdrop.
In her caption, she said, “What a year. What a guy. So blessed to have you in our lives @alroker. You brighten every space you enter. Happy birthday to my dearest.”