Beloved “Today” show weatherman Al Roker is well aware that his time on the NBC morning show will eventually come to an end, but he has no immediate plans to say goodbye.
Just days after his longtime colleague Hoda Kotb announced her departure from “Today,” Roker, 70, shared his thoughts on retirement and why he still loves being part of the show.
Roker, who has been a staple on “Today” since 1996, spoke about his eventual exit while attending the first-ever Food & Wine Classic festival in Charleston, South Carolina.
In an interview with People, he acknowledged that every television personality reaches a point where they decide it’s time to step away,
but he doesn’t feel that moment has arrived for him just yet.
Al Roker Isn’t Ready to Retire
“You know when you know,” Roker said, referencing Kotb’s emotional decision to leave after 26 years. “That was the kind of the beautiful thing for Hoda. You even look at … Joe Biden. It’s like, everybody has a reason that they decide it’s time to go.”
While he admitted that retirement is inevitable, Roker made it clear that it’s not in his immediate plans. “I don’t feel like that’s my time yet, but who knows. Maybe a year or two. Maybe not, but I’m enjoying it. I love this,” he continued. “You don’t get off the train until the last stop.”
Roker’s continued enthusiasm for his job is no surprise to longtime fans. Over the years, he has built a reputation not only as a reliable source for weather forecasts but also as a warm, uplifting presence on the show. Even after facing significant health challenges in recent years, including multiple hospitalizations, Roker has remained dedicated to his role.
Hoda Kotb’s Emotional Farewell Announcement
Roker’s comments came shortly after Hoda Kotb’s tearful announcement that she would be leaving “Today.” Surrounded by her colleagues Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones, and Roker himself, Kotb explained that she was stepping away to spend more time with her two young daughters, Hope, 7, and Haley, 5.
“I had my kiddos later in life and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world,” Kotb said while holding back tears.
Though her departure marks the end of an era, Kotb assured fans that she would remain part of the NBC family. “I’m gonna be here through the first of the year—past the first of the year—and I’m gonna stay in the NBC family, but it’s kind of a big deal for me,” she added.
Roker’s Support for Kotb’s Next Chapter
Roker, who has shared countless on-air moments with Kotb over the years, expressed his happiness for her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.
“I’m just so thrilled for her that I can’t possibly feel any sadness,” he said. “I would feel much worse if she was leaving, but she’s just doing something else within our NBC News family.”
As Kotb prepares for her transition, Roker remains as dedicated as ever to his role on “Today.” While he acknowledges that the time will eventually come for him to retire, for now, fans can rest assured that their favorite weatherman isn’t going anywhere just yet.
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