Back in 2013, Ginger Zee stepped into the big shoes of Sam Champion to become the chief meteorologist on Good Morning America. Fast forward to today, and fans noticed Sam stepping back into the role, sparking questions about Ginger's status on the show. So, what’s the deal? Is Ginger leaving the show? Let’s break it down.
Ginger Zee’s Recent Absence: The Full Story
During an episode of GMA on January 19, viewers were surprised to see Sam Champion delivering the weather segment instead of Ginger. Naturally, this raised eyebrows and speculation about Ginger's absence. Thankfully, Ginger herself addressed the situation on social media. In a candid tweet, she explained that she was dealing with some health issues, specifically "rolling fevers," which had sidelined her temporarily.
She expressed her gratitude to Sam for stepping in, saying, "I have great care but rolling fevers have taken me out — thanks to @SamChampion for filling in today." With a hopeful tone, she added, "Hoping I’ll see you all back on @GMA soon." It was clear that Ginger’s absence was temporary, and she was focused on getting back to full health.
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As a mom to two young boys, Adrian and Miles, with her husband Ben Aaron, Ginger didn't give an exact timeline for her return. However, the next day, Sam Champion took to Instagram to share that he had once again made a "last-minute dash" to the GMA studio to cover for Ginger. Ginger chimed in on the comments section, expressing her appreciation, saying, "This flu is no joke — thanks for dashing over to fill in for me!"
While Sam stepped in on GMA, another meteorologist, Lee Goldberg, covered for Ginger on World News Tonight as she continued to recover. A few days later, Ginger provided an update on her condition, sharing a selfie with a caption that read, "I haven’t moved from bed in 48 hours, but this Tamiflu is helping… and I actually see light and have now gone 10 hours without a fever." She also acknowledged the support of her husband and their dog, saying, "Thankful for the supportive @benaarontv and @roofustee who have been caring for our sick boys while I lay useless in bed." She ended her post with a positive note, sending "healthy sunny vibes" to her followers.
Ginger Zee’s Return to ‘GMA’
By Monday, January 23, fans were thrilled to see Ginger back on GMA. On Twitter, the Dancing With the Stars alum shared that she was "feeling so much better." That same morning, Sam Champion returned to his usual spot at the ABC7 studio for his Eyewitness News broadcast.
Is Ginger Zee Leaving ‘GMA’?
Let's put this rumor to rest. It's not uncommon for former anchors to return to GMA to fill in when the regular hosts are out due to illness or vacation. While Ginger took a few days off to recover, there’s no indication that she plans to leave the show. In fact, Ginger celebrated a significant milestone at ABC last year, marking a decade with the network and The Walt Disney Company. She even received a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
In a reflective post on Instagram in April 2022, Ginger expressed gratitude for the support and opportunities she's had throughout her career. She wrote, "This is more for all the people who have believed in me, supported me and given me opportunities." She added, "My goal was to [sparkle every day] and pass along that sparkle — and I don’t know that I’ve done it every day — but I got close and can’t wait to see what’s next."
