A significant loss hits the Today show family as weatherman Al Roker faces personal bereavement.
According to The US Sun, Alice Bell, Al Roker's former wife and mother of his eldest daughter Courtney, has passed away at 77, with the news being shared through a heartfelt Instagram announcement on Monday night.
The loss prompted an immediate impact on NBC's morning programming schedule, as Roker was notably absent from Tuesday's Today show broadcast, with meteorologist Dylan Dreyer stepping in to cover his responsibilities.
Their marriage, which lasted from 1984 to 1994, produced one daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, whom they adopted in 1987.
Before their romantic involvement, Bell and Roker were colleagues at NBC, where she worked as an operations producer for WNBC-TV's Live at Five news program.
Their professional relationship evolved into a personal one, leading to their marriage and the creation of their family through Courtney's adoption.
Courtney Roker Laga, now a chef and mother herself, shared the news of her mother's passing through social media. In her emotional tribute, she emphasized Bell's role not only as her mother but also as a devoted grandmother to her daughter Sky, who was born in July 2023.
Bell's daughter Courtney expressed her deep grief in a poignant Instagram post:
She was my mother, my heart, and the most loving grandmother to Sky. I was with her for her last breath, and I will carry her love with me always.
The announcement triggered an outpouring of support from the broadcasting community, with former NBC News anchor Tamron Hall among those offering condolences. The response highlighted the strong connections Bell maintained within the media industry even after her departure from NBC.
Deborah Roberts, who became Roker's wife in 1995 following his divorce from Bell, showed her support by liking Courtney's Instagram post about her mother's passing. This gesture demonstrated the blended family's unity during this difficult time.
Despite maintaining a relatively private life after her divorce from Roker, Bell remained an important figure in her daughter's life. This was evident in Courtney's Mother's Day post from May 2022, where she celebrated Bell alongside her stepmother, Deborah Roberts, and mother-in-law, Barbara.
Alice Bell's passing marks the end of a chapter in the Today show extended family's history. Her death has affected not only her immediate family but also resonated through the NBC community where she once worked.
The circumstances surrounding Bell's death have not been disclosed, but her impact on her family, particularly as a grandmother to Sky and mother to Courtney, remains evident. While Al Roker has not publicly commented on his ex-wife's passing, his absence from the Tuesday morning broadcast of Today speaks to the significance of this loss.
