Robin Roberts’ Health Scares and Relationship with Amber Laign

Robin Roberts, the TV broadcaster best known as one of the anchors of “Good Morning America,” has overcome very frightening illnesses, including cancer.

Things started going downhill in 2007 when she felt a lump in her breast and, after getting a biopsy done, she was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer.

"I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold,” wrote Robin in 2013.

BEATING CANCER AND CONTRACTING ANOTHER ILLNESS

Robin underwent surgery in August, and by January 2008 her chemotherapy and radiation treatments were complete, successfully beating cancer.

Unfortunately, life had another unpleasant surprise for her as she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in 2012.

According to MayoClinic myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) “are a group of disorders caused by poorly formed blood cells or ones that don't work properly.” In Robins’ case, she contracted MDS as a complication of the chemotherapy she got years before, and it was attacking her bone marrow.

In August 2012, she took a long absence from “Good Morning America” to receive treatment. After getting a bone marrow transplant and following her doctors’ advice, she beat that illness, too, and reappeared on the show on February 20, 2013.

ROBIN ROBERTS’ SUCCESSFUL CAREER

Even though her health has been compromised a couple of times, several people believe that she was born to be a famous journalist, and all the things she did growing up are proof of that.

Apart from being an outstanding student, Robin was also a skilled athlete as she played basketball, tennis, and a few other sports while she was studying in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Later, she followed in the steps of her sister Sally-Ann Roberts, who was a local news anchor, and started studying communications at the Southeastern Louisiana University through a journalism scholarship.

Soon after graduating, she became a sports reporter and anchor for a TV station in Mississippi. The name Robin Roberts became more popular each passing year as she kept moving from city to city pursuing better opportunities.

JOINING ESPN AND “GOOD MORNING AMERICA”

In 1990, she joined ESPN and, at the age of 29, Robin became one of the hosts of the channel’s most popular news show “Sportscenter.”

Since ESPN and ABC are owned by the same company (The Walt Disney Company), Robin began making guest appearances on “Good Morning America” soon after joining ESPN.

In 2005, Robin finally left ESPN and became a full-time co-anchor of “Good Morning America.”

Apart from her successful career in front of the cameras, Robin has also written and published three books: “From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By,” released in 2007, “From the Heart: Eight Rules to Live By,” published in 2008, and “Everybody’s Got Something,” released in 2014. She has an estimated net worth of $35 million.

ROBIN ROBERTS’ RELATIONSHIP

There was a person who was by Robin Roberts’ side throughout the most fragile moments of her life: her longtime girlfriend, Amber Laign. Even though the anchor’s sexuality was an open secret in media circles, Robin had not officially come out as a homosexual.

It all changed on December 29, 2013, when she uploaded a photo dated precisely one year before. In the caption, she reflected on her health struggles and thanked everybody involved in her journey to recovery.

“I am grateful for my entire family, my longtime girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together. I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold,” wrote Robin.

Only four months later, Robin appeared on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” to share more details on her relationship with massage therapist Amber Laign. Apart from saying that they met each other during a blind date, Robin confessed that her partner didn’t like to be in the spotlight.

AMBER LAIGN’S PERSONALITY

“She's very, very supportive and she's been right there beside me every step of the way, and it was actually the end of the year on my Facebook, and I had been thanking my doctors, my nurses and my sister who was a perfect match and I said I want to say thank you," added Robin.

Amber, born in September 1974, is from California. During the time Robin was dealing with myelodysplastic syndrome, Amber researched holistic approaches to minimize the side effect of her partner’s treatment.

As part of her investigation, she found the benefits of essential oils. She teamed up with Marci Freed, who is also an advocate for essential oils, to found Plant Juice Oils.

Even though they are still together and enjoy each other’s company, the couple has not welcomed any children so far.