‘GMA’s’ Robin Roberts Says Caregiving Brought Her Closer to New Wife Amber Laign

After 18 years together, the longtime couple finally said ‘I do’

Abigail Seaberg,

AARP

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Published September 08, 2023

/ Updated September 11, 2023

Amber Laign and Robin Roberts smile on the set of "Good Morning America" in August.

Amber Laign and Robin Roberts on the set of "Good Morning America" in August.

Raymond Hall

Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, 62, says her unique caregiving journey with her now wife Amber Laign strengthened their relationship.

“It can either tear you apart or bring you closer together, and thank the good Lord, it brought us closer together,” Roberts said in a recent GMA appearance.

They celebrated that strength on Sept. 8 when they got married after 18 years together. Roberts and Laign, a women’s health entrepreneur, posted photos on social media of their “intimate, magical wedding ceremony” in the backyard of their home in Farmington, Connecticut.

“We are partners. We will do whatever it takes, and I think that the illnesses that we have gone through, and are going through, have only strengthened us and made us more compassionate with each other and have a better understanding of each other,” Roberts said.

An intimate, magical wedding ceremony in our backyard followed by a joyous reception…ohhhh the dancing!! We are immensely grateful to all for making it a day and a night to remember. Honeymoon here we come! pic.twitter.com/WvpjRkQurL
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) September 10, 2023

Roberts and Laign take turns caregiving

Not even two years into dating in 2007, Roberts found out she had breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast during a self-exam. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. “She could have bailed early on in the relationship,” Roberts said. “No one would have blamed her.”

Instead, however, Laign planted roots. She cared for Roberts as she recovered from her treatments and laid the groundwork for a lifetime of support.

Later down the road, their relationship would be tested again when Roberts underwent a lifesaving bone marrow transplant for myelodysplastic syndrome in 2012. She spent nearly six months off the air at GMA.

“Sometimes treatment for cancer can lead to other serious medical issues and that’s what I’m facing right now,” Roberts shared in 2012.

According to the Mayo Clinic, myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders triggered by poorly formed or malfunctioning blood cells. People who get a bone marrow transplant for myelodysplastic syndromes typically receive high-dose chemotherapy to clear out the blood cells from their bone marrow before they are replaced with healthy cells.

Roberts was able to recover, but the couple’s struggles were far from over. Just last year, it became Roberts’ turn to be the caregiver when Laign received her own breast cancer diagnosis. Laign received surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

“It’s my turn now to be there for her like she was for me,” Roberts said when she announced Laign’s illness. “And that means I’ll be away from GMA from time to time like this morning as she starts chemo. We know many, many are facing cancer and other challenges. Like my mama said, ‘Everybody’s got something.’ Please know that you are in our prayers, and hopefully we’re in yours, too.”

Reflecting on their journey, Laign said: “[In] our roles as caregivers and patients, we’re pretty fortunate. [It’s] unfortunate that we had to go through it, but that we’ve both supported each other on both sides of those roles.”

Finding strength in caregiving

Caregiving can feel very isolating for some, but it’s important for people caring for loved ones — like Roberts and Laign have — to know they’re not alone. According to an AARP report, about 38 million Americans spent 36 billion hours caring for adults with chronic, disabling or serious health conditions in 2021.

“Family caregivers are the backbone of long-term care in this country,” said Susan Reinhard, senior vice president, AARP Public Policy Institute. “The care they provide is invaluable to those receiving it. But this is not just a family issue: It impacts communities, employers, and our health and long-term care systems. We must treat family caregivers as the valuable resource that they are by providing them the support they need to care for loved ones while also caring for themselves.”

Being a caregiver can be a heavy burden to bear. But, thankfully, Roberts and Laign have found ways to use their caregiving experiences to reinforce their relationship.

“Many people go into marriage hoping for and looking for what Amber and I already know we have, and so ours is a celebration,” Roberts said on GMA. “We’ve been living our happily ever after through all the ups and downs, so it’s a celebration.”

If you’re a caregiver looking for information or support, check out AARP’s resource page at aarp.org/caregiving.

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Abigail Seaberg is a freelance journalist based in San Diego. She covers subjects as diverse as oncology research, local news, celebrity updates, and health and wellness topics.

‘GMA’s’ Robin Roberts Says Caregiving Brought Her Closer to New Wife Amber Laign

After 18 years together, the longtime couple finally said ‘I do’

Roberts and Laign take turns caregiving

Finding strength in caregiving

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