Watch: How Al Roker, Deborah Roberts Are Adjusting to Life as Empty Nesters
Al Roker is sharing what life is like in his neck of the woods.
After the Today anchor shared a photo of his and wife Deborah Roberts‘ son Nick moving into his college dorm, he shared a glimpse into his new normal as an empty nester.
“I feel good,” Al exclusively told E! News in a joint interview with Deborah at the opening night of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Sept. 19. “I remember I was the first to go to college in my family, and I was the oldest of six. And I know my parents were just kind of thrilled to have one free bed. So, you know, I’m looking forward to his next chapter.”
As for how his wife of 31 years—who also shares daughter Leila, 27, with Al—sees it?
“I feel excited,” she admitted. “It’s always hard for me because at my core, I am a mom and a mama bear, and I miss the kids terribly. But you know what? I love seeing them spread their wings and start to fly a little bit.”
Plus, the new chapter has allowed Al and Deborah some alone time to keep their spark alive.
“We’re holding up pretty well,” she added. “Look, we’re out here. We’re having date night.”
Last month, Al—also dad to daughter Courtney Roker, 39, with late ex-wife Alice Bell—shared a snapshot of the 24-year-old embarking on his latest adventure.
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
“Another drop off for my young man,” the 72-year-old wrote in the Aug. 29 Instagram post. “Gonna miss him but as Al Roker Sr. always said, #cantmissyouifyoudontleave. So very proud of him.”
Indeed, this wasn’t Al’s first time dropping off Nick at a college campus. After all, Nick previously spent three years studying communications at Vermont’s Landmark College before graduating with an associate degree in 2025.
At the time, Al noted on social media that he and Deborah “could not be prouder of how hard he has worked and is determined to get his #bachelorsdegree.”
And the accomplishment was that much more special for the weatherman considering the hurdles his son has faced. Indeed, Al previously described Nick as “somewhere on the spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive.”
Al Roker/Instagram
“But those labels can be frustrating,” Al explained in a 2019 essay for Guideposts magazine, “they don’t begin to describe who Nick really is.”
But thanks to a dedicated team of professionals, including speech, behavioral and occupational therapists, Nick has been able to surpass his parents’ wildest dreams for him.
“I can’t begin to take credit for who Nick is and who he might become,” Al added. “All sorts of specialists can tell you about limitations for this and that. Nick never got that message.”
Keep reading to see how more celebrity kids marked their first day of school this year…
—Reporting by Stephanie Swaim
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