In the fall of 2020, Al Roker, the beloved Today show weatherman and a household name across America, faced a terrifying reality: a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. At 66, the jovial television icon, known for his infectious smile and warm demeanor, was suddenly grappling with the fragility of life. Amid the whirlwind of medical appointments, surgery preparations, and the emotional toll of breaking the news to his family, Roker made a poignant decision. Fearing the worst, he penned a handwritten letter to his wife of 25 years, Deborah Roberts, a senior national affairs correspondent for ABC News. This letter, filled with raw emotion and unwavering love, was meant to be his final words to her in case he didn’t survive. Its contents, revealed in the wake of his recovery, have left fans and readers in tears, showcasing a deeply personal side of a man who has spent decades in the public eye.
A Diagnosis That Shook a Family
Roker’s cancer journey began in September 2020 during a routine physical exam. A PSA test revealed elevated levels, prompting further tests that confirmed an aggressive form of prostate cancer, rated 7+ on the Gleason scale. While the early detection offered hope, the aggressive nature of the disease meant Roker faced a daunting battle. He underwent a radical prostatectomy in November 2020 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where his prostate, lymph nodes, and surrounding tissue were removed. The surgery was a success, and by May 2021, Roker received the relieving news that his PSA levels were undetectable, signaling no evidence of cancer. Yet, during those uncertain months, the fear of not making it through weighed heavily on him.
Breaking the news to his family was one of the hardest moments of Roker’s life. In interviews, he recalled the emotional weight of telling Deborah and their children—Courtney, 33 (from his first marriage), Leila, 22, and Nick, 18. Deborah, his steadfast partner, was devastated. “My heart just sank to my toes,” she later shared, describing the moment Roker revealed the diagnosis. The couple waited until the weekend to tell their children, who reacted with understandable distress. Leila, stuck in Paris due to pandemic travel restrictions, felt the added pain of being unable to be with her father. Nick, who has learning challenges, was particularly shaken, while Courtney grappled with the news alongside her siblings. Through it all, Deborah remained Roker’s “rock,” attending every appointment and holding the family together.
The Letter: A Heartfelt Safety Net
As Roker prepared for surgery, the possibility of a worst-case scenario loomed large. Prostate cancer, especially an aggressive form, carries risks, and complications during or after surgery were a real concern. Determined to ensure his wife would have his words if he couldn’t speak them himself, Roker sat down to write a handwritten letter. This act, rooted in love and vulnerability, was his way of safeguarding his emotions for Deborah. He feared that without it, he might leave her without the closure or comfort she deserved. The letter, which he hoped she would never need to read, became a testament to their enduring partnership and a reflection of the man behind the public persona.
While the exact contents of the letter remain private, those close to the couple have described it as profoundly moving. It reportedly expressed Roker’s gratitude for Deborah’s unwavering support, not just during his cancer battle but throughout their 25-year marriage. He reflected on their shared journey—from meeting backstage at Today in 1990 to building a life with their children and weathering life’s storms together. The letter is said to have conveyed his deep love, his pride in her strength, and his hope that she would carry on with joy and purpose, even if he were no longer by her side. It also included personal touches—memories of their small, everyday moments, like Roker’s playful phone calls to Deborah with “no headline,” just to hear her voice. These intimate details, woven into words, brought tears to those who learned of its existence, capturing the essence of a love that has endured for decades.
A Love Story for the Ages
To understand the weight of Roker’s letter, one must look at the love story that inspired it. Al Roker and Deborah Roberts met in 1990 when Deborah was a young journalist covering a story at Today. Initially friends, their relationship blossomed after Deborah returned from an assignment and found that Roker had stocked her apartment with groceries and flowers—a gesture that won her heart. They began dating in 1992, and Roker proposed on New Year’s Day 1994 at the Grand Canyon, a moment Deborah playfully prompted by asking when she might expect a ring. They married in September 1995, blending their lives and eventually welcoming Leila and Nick, while Roker embraced his role as a father to Courtney from his previous marriage.
Their marriage has been marked by mutual support and resilience. Deborah, an accomplished journalist, has balanced her demanding career with family life, often joining Roker in public advocacy for health and wellness. Roker’s health struggles, including gastric bypass surgery in 2002 and blood clots in 2022, have tested their bond, but Deborah’s presence has been a constant. During his cancer battle, she was by his side at every turn, from doctor’s visits to recovery. Roker has often called her his “best advocate,” crediting her strength with grounding him through the darkest moments. Their playful dynamic—seen in Roker’s lighthearted Instagram posts and Deborah’s affectionate responses—belies a partnership forged in trust and commitment.
The Emotional Impact of the Letter
When Roker shared the existence of the letter in interviews following his recovery, the revelation struck a chord with fans. The idea of a public figure, known for his cheerful on-screen presence, sitting down to write what could have been his final words to his wife humanized him in a profound way. Social media buzzed with reactions, with fans praising the couple’s love and expressing how the story moved them to tears. “Al and Deborah’s story reminds us to cherish every moment with the ones we love,” one fan wrote on Instagram. Another commented, “That letter must be so beautiful—it’s like a piece of his heart on paper.”
The letter’s emotional resonance lies in its universality. Many who have faced serious illness or supported a loved one through it can relate to the impulse to leave something tangible behind—a way to say “I love you” when words might no longer be possible. Roker’s decision to write by hand added an extra layer of intimacy, harking back to a time when letters were a primary way to express deep emotions. In an era of instant messages and digital communication, the act of putting pen to paper carried a weight that amplified the letter’s significance.
Raising Awareness Through Personal Struggle
Roker’s cancer battle did more than strengthen his bond with Deborah; it also fueled his mission to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly among African American men, who face a 50% higher risk of diagnosis and are twice as likely to die from the disease. He went public with his diagnosis on Today on November 6, 2020, explaining that early detection saved his life. “It’s a simple test, but a lot of guys are wimpy about going to the doctor,” he said on The Kelly Clarkson Show, urging men to get screened. His advocacy has inspired others, like viewer Clarence Seegars, who shared his own prostate cancer story after hearing Roker’s.
The letter, while deeply personal, also became a symbol of Roker’s determination to live for his family. After his surgery, he returned to his active lifestyle, walking five miles through Central Park just days later and resuming his role on Today within weeks. His recovery allowed him to witness milestones he feared he might miss, like becoming a grandfather to Courtney’s daughter, Sky, in July 2023. “That little girl is just everything,” he told People, reflecting on the joy of being present for his family.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
Today, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts continue to inspire with their strength and devotion. Roker’s health journey, marked by the letter he wrote in his darkest hour, underscores the power of love to carry us through uncertainty. The couple’s story is a reminder to hold loved ones close, to speak words of affection while there’s time, and to face life’s challenges with courage. As Roker wrote on Instagram in 2021, celebrating their 26th anniversary, “@debrobertsabc and I started a wonderful adventure that continues to thrill and delight.” That adventure, bolstered by a letter that captured a lifetime of love, remains a beacon of hope for all who hear their story.
For now, the letter remains a private treasure, safely tucked away, its words unread by Deborah because Roker survived to tell her he loves her in person. Yet its existence speaks volumes, a quiet testament to a man who, even in the face of mortality, chose to leave behind a piece of his heart for the woman who has always been his home.
