Al Roker’s eldest child, Courtney Roker Laga, announced the death of her mother, Alice Bell, on Monday, February 10.
Courtney, 37, took to Instagram to share the news that her mother had passed away. She included a series of photos of her and her mom through the years. In some of the photos, Alice held Courtney’s daughter, Sky Clara Laga, whom she shares with husband Wesley Laga.
“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,” Courtney captioned the post.
No further details surrounding Alice’s death were provided. In the comments section of Courtney’s post, many showed their support during her time of grief.
“Sincere condolences to you and family and for all who loves her,” one person wrote.
Another said, “I’m so sorry. You are such a wonderful daughter to have been there until the end.”
“Oh no! Deepest condolences to your family. May her memory continue to be a blessing to you all,” another person wrote.
Several celebrities also shared their condolences for the Roker family after Alice’s death.
“Sending our love,” Tamron Hall wrote.
“So much love,” Joy Bauer said.
“Sending love to you,” Holly Robinson Peete wrote.
Rachel Smith said, “Keeping you in prayer, friend.”
Al was married to Alice from 1984 to 1994. They adopted Courtney during their marriage. The meteorologist married his second wife, Deborah Roberts, in 1995. They welcomed two children together, daughter Leila and son Nicholas.
Al, 70, briefly spoke about Courtney’s adoption during a virtual segment of Today with Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer in June 2020.
“I always remember being humbled when we first adopted Courtney … we couldn’t have a kid, and this was with Courtney’s mom, Alice. We went to go pick her up in western New York. An hour before, there was a car seat with nobody in it. And then, an hour later, there was a baby,” he said. “And all of a sudden you are humbled because you realize now there’s somebody greater than you that needs your protection. As each child has come along, I find humility in being humbled every day.”
Al found out he was going to be a grandparent amid his health scare at the end of 2022.
“Right about this time last year, I was in the hospital. I went in for one thing, end up having surgery for five. So it was buy one, get four free,” he said during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2023. “I found out while I was in the hospital that my oldest girl, Courtney, was expecting our first grandchild.”
“But I think more than anything else, knowing that she was coming this last year … because it’s been a progression, but you’ve just gotten stronger and stronger, so here he is,” Deborah, 64, said during the appearance.
Sky, now 18 months, was born in July 2023. Al opened up about becoming a grandparent.
“I’m very proud of my daughter and my son-in-law,” the broadcaster told TODAY.com in July 2024. “They’re terrific parents and they’ve raised this, so far, incredibly happy baby who’s just very content, and very adventurous when it comes to food and just has a very, very lovely, happy disposition. So it’s like, ‘Well, whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a great job. I know it feels like it’s this all-consuming gig because in fact it is. But you’re doing a great job.’”
