Roker, the long-time host and TODAY SHOW personality, told Entertainment Tonight, “I’m doing great, the thing that’s kept me going is I’ve had a new granddaughter… If I had known they were this much fun, I would’ve had them first. It’s the best.”
Roker has been open about his recent health struggles over the past few years.
In November 2020, Roker revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and has since used his platform to encourage people to get tested.
In 2022, he was hospitalized twice for blood clots in his legs and lungs, causing him to miss hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade after 27 consecutive years.
Most recently, in May 2023, Roker underwent a knee replacement that had several complications. He told TODAY, “This one has been the toughest one yet because they had to take out the old one, which had some complications, and then put in a new one.”
Shortly after his knee surgery, Roker welcomed his first grandchild, Sky Clara Laga, on July 3, born to his daughter Courtney Roker and her husband Wesley Laga.
He said, “The thing is, everyone tells you it’s going to be ‘this thing’ and you don’t know; it’s like when they tell you about having your first child. And then to hold this little girl, knowing almost 35 years ago I held her mom? And here she is, 5 lbs., 15 oz. 19 inches long and she’s just perfect.”