Robin Roberts, in blue, returned to 'Good Morning America' Wednesday. She is surrounded by, from left, Josh Elliott, Sam Champion, Lara Spencer and George Stephanopoulos. Photo credit: Heidi Gutman/ABC
Five months to the day she received a bone-marrow transplant, Robin Roberts returned to “Good Morning America” Wednesday morning.
“I keep pinching myself,” Roberts told viewers of the ABC morning program. “Faith, family and friends have brought me to this moment. And I am so full of gratitude.”
The program played a taped message from President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
“You’ve been an inspiration to all of us,” the president said. “It’s great to see you back in that chair.”
The first lady said that the Obama family had been praying for Roberts and rooting for the journalist. Michelle Obama also revealed that Roberts will interview her in a couple of days.
As the program ended Wednesday, Roberts thanked her Disney and ABC bosses. “I know how blessed I am and how lucky I am,” she said. “There are many people who take an extended medical leave and they don’t have a job to come back to. And I have a wonderful job,” she said, her voice breaking.
ABC colleagues reporting from Washington, South Africa and Iran welcomed back Roberts during the program. Former ESPN colleagues saluted her. Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers sang for Roberts. Hillary Clinton,Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant paid tribute to Roberts. The network had tirelessly promoted Roberts’ return.
George Stephanopoulos said, “It is official now. Welcome back, Robin. You can hear the cheers out in Times Square.”
“Good Morning America” has overtaken NBC’s “Today”as the most-watched morning program nationally. But “GMA” has long been the more popular show in Central Florida.
A taped segment explained how Roberts worked with her medical team and yoga instructor to make the return possible. She explained that she chose to be fearless rather than fearful about her health. “GMA” titled the segment “Getting Stronger Everyday.” Her doctors and nurses were guests on the show.
Roberts will share her story of recovery in a special “20/20″ at 10 p.m. Friday on ABC. She also will work the red carpet at the Oscars, which will be telecast Sunday on ABC.
Her doctors revealed they were concerned about Roberts’ workload and they would gauge how much she will work each week.