Good Morning America host Lara Spencer is mourning the loss of her mother, Carolyn Von Seelen, who died February 13 at 85 years old.
Spencer shared the news in an emotional Instagram tribute on Monday, writing that her mom passed away surrounded by family. Spencer, 56, remembered Von Seelen as a woman whose “smile lit up every room she walked into,” praising her “courage, resilience, endless optimism, deep faith, and boundless love.”
The TV host admitted the loss has left her grappling with “overwhelming sadness at the thought” of life without her mother.
Tributes quickly poured in from colleagues, including GMA anchor Robin Roberts, who wrote, “Knowing your mother was knowing pure joy,” adding that she hopes Spencer finds comfort in their memories.
The show also honored Von Seelen on-air Tuesday, with Roberts recalling an impromptu visit from Spencer’s mom at a speaking event.
“She read the local paper and saw I was coming to town and she surprised me,” Roberts said.
Co-anchor Michael Strahan added that the gesture made perfect sense, noting, “Knowing who Lara is, it isn’t a surprise that her mom would do something like that.”
