ABC News’ Deborah Roberts opened up about her marriage to Today show’s Al Roker in an exclusive interview with The US Sun.
Deborah, 63, and Al, 69, were honored at the Harlem School of the Arts’ 60th anniversary gala on May 20 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
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Before taking the stage to accept the award, the power couple chatted with The US Sun on the red carpet accompanied by their 21-year-old son, Nick Roker.
When asked what the secret is to a lasting marriage, Deborah confessed that “it’s not easy”, but they make it work.
“Oh, my God. I think the most important thing is not to tell anyone that you’ve already figured it all out, because we don’t know.
“We are constantly working on this. We are a work in progress,” she shared.
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“We have been married for 28, almost 29 years. It’s not easy.
“And life is about growing and evolving and sometimes compromising and sometimes not.”
She continued: “So I don’t know if there’s any secret, but I think I want to be committed and work – it makes a big difference.”
The couple will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary on September 16, 2024.
In addition to their son Nick, they also have a daughter, Leila Ruth, 25, and a daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, 37, who Al shares with his ex-wife Alice Bell.
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER
Deborah, Al and Nick attended the special event to celebrate the arts school’s anniversary since its opening in 1964.
Al told The US Sun that his wife and son were the main reasons he left home for a night out.
“Well, I guess I’m only here because of Deborah and Nick. I’m just tagging along. They’re the ones who know what to do.
“I’m just showing up. But I’m happy to support the Harlem School of the Arts because, I mean, 60 years of starting with art and dance and theater, and now moving into media and technology — whatever art is, they’re bringing it to these young people,” he said.
When it came time to be honored on stage, Al joked to the audience, “The only reason I’m really here is because of Deborah Roberts because, as you all know, I’d actually rather be at home. this things.”
‘We are working on [marriage] constantly. We have work in progress.
Deborah Roberts
He went on to say that he “couldn’t be more proud” of his son’s accomplishments and said, “The greatest masterpieces I’ve ever seen are the two people standing next to me.”
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REUNITED FAMILY
While Al co-hosts the Today show, Deborah co-anchors ABC News’ 20/20 alongside David Muir.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been more of the same, but a little more focused,” Deborah told The US Sun.
“I’ve been on 20/20 for over 20 years and so not much has changed, with the exception of feeling a certain responsibility for the program and feeling a certain humility to take on a role that Barbara Walters held. And she was a mentor of mine.”
“Working with David Muir is a real kick and working a little more intensely with my team has been fantastic,” she continued.
The family was joined by Al’s colleague Sheinelle Jones, who hosted the HSA Gala on May 20 and brought her daughter Clara Ojeh. The 11-year-old boy is a student at the school.
All of the presenters dressed up in their Regency-era finest to follow the Bridgerton-themed affair.
“I mean, we all left anyway, but it’s fun to be able to give him his due. And this time, listen, Al Roker has every award on the planet, but it’s really cool that not only does he get the award today, but he gets to do it with his lovely wife Deborah and his son Nick, so it’s a family affair for them. ”, commented Sheinelle to The US Sun.
She went on to share what it’s like to work with her colleagues, Al and Hoda Kotb.
“Listen, there are mornings when Al Roker is playing the A-Team theme song. I mean, you know, he loves his music.
“Hoda, whenever she hears a new song that she loves, she turns it up and makes it the song of the summer,” Sheinelle said.
“I remember when Beyoncé’s album came out for Cowboy Carter. She was playing ‘Ya, ya, ya,’ so we were singing it in the morning. So it’s a really fun time in the morning.”
Others who attended the HSA Gala included President and CEO James C. Horton, Jacqueline Newberry, Gayle King, Nicole Avant and her husband, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Fat Joe and Questlove.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
