Al Roker’s Heartfelt Tribute: Remembering Alice Bell, His First Wife and Enduring Love
The world of morning television has lost a quiet pillar of strength. Alice Bell, the first wife of beloved Today show weatherman Al Roker and devoted mother to Courtney Roker Laga, passed away at the age of 77, leaving an indelible void in the hearts of her family and friends. The news, confirmed by Courtney on social media on February 10, 2025, has prompted an outpouring of grief and reflection, with Al Roker himself growing visibly emotional as he shared intimate memories of the woman who stood by his side during his formative years. In a rare moment of vulnerability, the 70-year-old anchor admitted that some of their most private moments—cherished secrets from a time when he was an unknown striving for stardom—remain locked away, treasured solely in his heart.
Alice’s death marks the end of an era for the Roker family, one defined by resilience and quiet devotion. Married to Al from 1984 to 1994, Alice was more than a partner; she was a steadfast supporter during his early career struggles. As Al recounted in a tearful segment on Today on February 12, 2025, “Alice was there from the very beginning, when I was just a guy with big dreams and a weather map. She believed in me when no one else did, through the late nights and the rejections.” Their union produced Courtney, adopted in 1987, who has grown into a 37-year-old mother herself, now raising 19-month-old Sky with husband Wesley Laga. Courtney’s Instagram tribute captured the depth of her loss: “She was my mother, my heart… I was with her for her last breath, and I will carry her love with me always.” Accompanying photos showed a frail Alice cradling Sky, connected to oxygen, her eyes twinkling with the unyielding spirit that defined her.
Al’s emotions spilled over as he delved into the past, his voice cracking with the weight of unspoken stories. “There are things between us—private jokes, quiet promises made in the dim light of our first apartment—that the world will never know,” he confessed. “They were ours alone, and now they’re mine to hold onto, like a secret garden no one else can enter.” These revelations paint a picture of a young couple navigating the uncertainties of life in New York City, where Al honed his craft at local stations before breaking into national prominence. Alice, who largely shunned the spotlight, provided the emotional anchor amid the chaos of rising fame. Their decade together laid the foundation for Al’s enduring philosophy on family, one he often shares with viewers: “Your job is making sure your children can be whoever they want to be. Alice taught me that—selflessly, without fanfare.”
The family’s sorrow is compounded by the timing, coming just months after Al opened up about his wife Deborah Roberts’ ongoing health battles, which have left him sleepless with worry. Deborah, married to Al since 1995 and mother to Leila, 26, and Nicholas, 22, has been a pillar of support, as evidenced by Courtney’s 2022 Mother’s Day post honoring “the three most important women in my life: my mom Alice, my stepmother Deborah, and my mother-in-law Barbara.” Al, absent from the February 11 broadcast, returned the next day to a studio filled with empathy from cohosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. Former Today colleague Tamron Hall echoed the sentiment in Courtney’s comments: “Sending our love.” Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, with Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie sharing personal anecdotes of Alice’s warmth during rare visits to the Rockefeller Plaza set.
In the midst of grief, glimmers of joy emerge in memories of Alice as a grandmother. Photos of her holding Sky, despite her evident frailty, underscore her fierce love. Al, who became a grandfather for the first time in 2023, beamed at the thought: “Alice was Sky’s biggest fan from day one. She’d whisper stories to her about our adventures, even when her voice was soft.” He plans to honor that legacy by spoiling Sky as “Pop-Pop,” a nickname passed down from his own father—a role Alice once dreamed of sharing.
Alice’s passing invites reflection on the unsung heroes behind public figures. She embodied grace in obscurity, her influence rippling through Al’s career and the lives she touched. As the Roker family navigates this profound loss, Al’s words resonate: “No matter what happens, these are always your children—and the love we shared with Alice will always be our guiding light.” In a year already marked by celebrity farewells, her story reminds us that true legacy lies not in headlines, but in the quiet bonds that endure. Rest in peace, Alice Bell—your heart beats on in those you leave behind.
