After a week off, Lara Spencer returned to Good Morning America with a candid update on her health journey. The 55-year-old TV personality shared that she’s taking life “one shaky step at a time” as she continues to manage the physical challenges caused by an old injury.
Spencer, a former nationally ranked collegiate diver, has dealt with the effects of a diving accident she suffered during her time at Pennsylvania State University. While she was known for her athleticism on the diving board, viewers might not have known that Spencer had been dealing with chronic pain from the accident that never fully healed. Over the years, her injury worsened, and in recent years, it became more difficult to manage.
On Instagram, Spencer opened up about the incident that led to her injury, explaining, “I was doing a reverse one and a half dive and hit the board, shattering my toes and joints.” At the time, doctors told her there wasn’t much they could do, other than taping the injury up and hoping it healed. But now, with advances in medical treatment, Spencer decided to take action.
Last year, Spencer had surgery on her right foot, where she had torn ligaments and a damaged plantar plate. This week, she had surgery on her left foot to address the lingering effects of her college injury. Spencer noted that the surgery on her left foot was more challenging than the one on her right, and she’s now left with a difficult recovery process. To help with the healing, she’ll have to wear special boots for the next few weeks. On social media, she posted a photo of herself with Dr. Martin O’Malley, the surgeon who performed the procedure, saying, “If I look a little groggy, it’s thanks to this guy who just gave me a new pair of boots.”
However, Spencer’s health issues weren’t the only struggles she faced this year. Her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent six weeks of radiation treatment. Thankfully, the treatment finished in October, and Spencer is celebrating her mother’s recovery and newfound optimism. She praised her mother’s strength and positivity, saying, “My mom is proof positive your work is a game changer. Mom—your spirituality and belief that anything is possible are a masterclass in how to live.”
Spencer isn’t the only GMA host facing personal challenges. Robin Roberts broke her wrist playing tennis and had to continue her duties with a bandaged arm, leaving viewers curious about her injury. George Stephanopoulos also faced grief with the passing of his father-in-law, while Michael Strahan took time off to support his daughter Isabella during her cancer treatment. The good news is that Isabella is now cancer-free as of July 2024.
Meanwhile, Good Morning America has also faced challenges on the work front. The show is in the midst of moving its studio from the Upper West Side to a new location downtown. The transition has reportedly come with some uncomfortable working conditions, including no heat, unreliable wifi, and a lingering unpleasant smell in the old studio. Despite these setbacks, there’s hope that the show will have a better year in 2025, along with brighter days ahead for its hosts.