Janice Dean, Fox News senior meteorologist and host of “Fox & Friends,” announced Wednesday, November 12, that she is taking a break from the network to address health issues that require “rest and time to heal.” The beloved weather anchor, who reports indicate is 55 years old, shared the news in a Facebook post, assuring fans she would return but needed to step away from both work and social media temporarily.
“I wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a break from work (and social media) for a bit,” Dean wrote on Facebook. “I’m ok, but I’ve had some health issues that require rest and time to heal. My bosses at Fox have been kind and understanding, and I feel blessed to be able to take a break to be with my family.”
Dean did not disclose specific details about her current health struggles or indicate how long her absence from Fox News would last. However, she did promise viewers and supporters that she would return to her role at the network.
The announcement comes nearly 20 years after Dean was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, just one year after she joined Fox News in 2004. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, which comprise the body’s central nervous system. The condition damages the myelin sheath, the protective coating around nerve cells, which can slow or block nerve signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body.
While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, various medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. Treatment approaches are tailored to each patient based on their specific symptoms and the form of MS they have been diagnosed with.
Dean has been remarkably open about her journey with MS throughout her career, becoming an outspoken advocate in the multiple sclerosis community. She regularly connects with others affected by the disease and shares her personal experiences to help raise awareness and support fellow MS patients. According to sources, Dean has the relapsing-remitting form of MS and receives IV infusion treatments every six months to help manage her condition and minimize flare-ups.
In her recent announcement, Dean noted that a trip to Rome with her husband Sean Newman provided a meaningful start to her healing journey. The couple traveled to the Italian capital with friends, and Dean described the experience as a good place to start healing spiritually. She explained that she now needs to focus on getting back to feeling healthy and strong physically as well.
“I’ve always been up front and honest about my life, and I felt I owed you an explanation of my absence,” Dean stated in her post. “But, I will be back. Grateful to you all for the kind words.”
Dean married Sean Newman, a New York City firefighter, in 2007. The couple has two sons together, Matthew and Theodore. She specifically mentioned in her announcement that her bosses at the network have been kind and understanding about her need to take time away.
The meteorologist also contributes to Fox Weather in addition to her regular appearances on “Fox & Friends.” Her role as a senior meteorologist has made her a familiar face to millions of viewers who tune in for weather updates and her engaging on-air personality. Her absence from the network’s programming has been noticeable to regular viewers who have grown accustomed to seeing her deliver forecasts and interact with her co-hosts during the morning show.
Dean’s willingness to discuss her MS diagnosis publicly stands in contrast to the advice she received early on. She has previously shared that when first diagnosed, some people told her to stay quiet about the illness and not disclose it publicly because no one wants to see a sick person on television. However, Dean chose to ignore that advice and instead use her platform to advocate for MS awareness and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that the disease affects nearly 1 million Americans, making advocacy and awareness efforts crucial for those living with the condition. Dean’s openness about her diagnosis has helped normalize conversations about chronic illness and demonstrated that people with MS can continue to pursue successful careers and maintain active lives while managing their symptoms.
As Dean takes this necessary break to focus on her health and spend time with her family, fans and colleagues have expressed their support and well-wishes for her recovery. The meteorologist’s commitment to returning to Fox News has provided reassurance to viewers who appreciate her weather forecasts and her authentic presence on the morning news program.