Al Roker and Daughter Courtney Share Alice Bell’s Heartfelt Letter and Cause of Death

In a deeply moving Today show segment, Al Roker and his daughter Courtney Roker Laga opened up about the loss of Alice Bell, Al’s first wife and Courtney’s mother, who passed away on February 10, 2025, at age 77. For months, the family remained silent about Bell’s private battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that ultimately claimed her life. But it was the discovery of a handwritten letter, tucked inside one of Bell’s cherished recipe books, that brought a wave of healing and gratitude, revealing her quiet grace and unifying their blended family in an unforgettable way.

Alice Bell, a former WNBC producer, lived a life away from the public eye. Married to Al Roker in 1984, she welcomed daughter Courtney through adoption in 1987. Though their marriage ended in 1994, Bell and Roker co-parented with respect, bonded by their love for Courtney. Bell’s death, initially shrouded in mystery, left fans longing for answers. On Today, Al and Courtney disclosed that COPD, likely triggered by environmental factors and a genetic predisposition, had slowly robbed Bell of breath but never her spirit. “She faced it with courage,” Al said, his voice breaking. “Every day was a fight, but she never stopped smiling for us.”

The segment took an emotional turn when Courtney shared the discovery of Bell’s letter, found weeks after her passing. Addressed to Al and Courtney, the letter radiated warmth: “You two were the melody that carried me through every storm.” Its most poignant moment, however, was directed to Deborah Roberts, Al’s wife since 1995. Bell wrote, “Take care of him the way I know only you can. You’ve given him peace where I once gave him dreams — and for that, I thank you.” The studio fell silent as Courtney read the words, her voice trembling with love and awe. The letter transformed grief into a celebration of Bell’s selflessness, bridging past and present.

Al, visibly moved, reflected on the letter’s impact. “Alice always had this way of seeing the bigger picture,” he said. “She wanted us to be whole, even after she was gone.” Courtney, clutching a photo of her mother with granddaughter Sky, born in 2023, added, “Mom’s love was in the little things—recipes, stories, this letter. It’s her way of still holding us.” The Today segment included images of Bell’s life: her wedding to Al, cradling baby Courtney, and beaming beside Sky, oxygen tube in place but joy undimmed.

The revelation of Bell’s COPD diagnosis came with a call to action. Al urged viewers to seek early treatment for respiratory issues, noting COPD’s manageability with proper care. Courtney emphasized healing through kindness, inspired by her mother’s words to Roberts. “This letter is Mom’s gift to us,” she said. “It’s about love that doesn’t end.” As the segment closed, the audience was left with a powerful truth: Bell’s legacy—rooted in gratitude, forgiveness, and quiet strength—continues to bind a family, proving that even in loss, love writes the final chapter.