As with their rivals at NBC, the hosts of ABC’s Good Morning America have gone public with the challenges they and their colleagues have faced over the years — including the loved ones’ deaths, health scares, and at least one financial flap.

In February 2026, Lara Spencer announced via Instagram that her mother, Carolyn von Seelen, had died at the age of 85. “She was a woman who loved a saying—she had one for everything-and used them often to help us get thru life’s challenges or painful moments,” Spencer said of her mom, who passed away on February 13, 2026. “One of her favorite was ‘don’t be sad it’s over honey—be grateful it happened.’ Sorry mama but there’s no way to not feel the pain of overwhelming sadness at the thought of not having you to share life with each day, but we sure are grateful YOU happened and showered us with your loving warmth and humor.”

Originally published on tvinsider.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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