Hoda Kotb shared good wishes for her fellow anchor Al Roker on today on Thursday December 1 after it was revealed he had returned to hospital to deal with complications caused by blood clots. The presenter, 58, said she wished Al, 68, could have been with them as they celebrated the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center the night before, but gave viewers an update.
We send our love to @Alroker when he returns to the hospital.
He and his family want everyone to know how grateful they are for all the love, support and well wishes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pCsSsmA5wU
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 1, 2022
Hoda assured fans Al was in good hands as he addressed his medical issues and said he and his family are very grateful for everyone’s concern. “We all wish Al could have been with us but due to a number of complications he is back in hospital and very well taken care of. He’s resting and his doctors are keeping a close eye on him,” she said. “Al and his family want everyone to know how grateful they are for all the love, support and well wishes.”
After Al was absent from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade due to health complications, Hoda said that she and Craig Melvin spoke to him briefly while they covered it. “Craig and I got a chance to FaceTime him from the parade and he gave us a big thumbs up. Nice to see Al,” she said. “He seemed fine.”
She also said he showed them he was supporting them from home, although he couldn’t be there in person. “It was great to see him and we just said it was the commercial break, ‘Al!’ He says, “Hey! It’s on!’ He was pointing at his TV, so I know he was looking at him,” she said.
During the Thanksgiving Parade, Al’s co-hosts revealed that he was missed as he was unable to attend for the first time in almost 30 years. “As many of you have heard, Al is recovering and recovering very well from a recent medical problem. We just want to say we love you, Al. I wonder if you’re watching, but we wish you a full recovery,” Hoda said Savannah Guthrie said she looks forward to him attending the parade in 2023. “We love you Al. See you next year,” she added.
Hoda’s announcement came after reports Al had returned to the hospital the day after Thanksgiving. His wife Deborah Roberts One of his daughters reportedly followed the ambulance to be with him. After some time in the hospital, Al announced that he was going home and spending Thanksgiving with his family in one Instagram Post. “So grateful to be home for Thanksgiving dinner with family,” he wrote.