Robin Roberts Recalls Her 50th Birthday Party, Gushes Over Partner Amber Laign: ''We Are So Happy''

TV personality also opens up to AARP about her bone marrow transplant

By Alyssa Toomey Apr 01, 2015 2:11 AMTags
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At 54 years old, Robin Roberts is at peace with her life. 

The TV personality currently serves as the anchor of Good Morning America, successfully underwent a bone marrow transplant in September 2012 to battle a life-threatening illness and is happier than ever with partner Amber Laign

In the latest issue of AARP magazine, which is out April 1, Roberts opens up about her life's most memorable milestones and expresses gratitude for her recovery in addition to sharing her excitement for the future. 

"I think of September 20, the date of my transplant, as my birthday more than my real birthday, on November 23," Roberts, who previously underwent treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder, tells the publication. "I don't try to be like people who have had life-threatening illnesses and say, ‘Every day is a gift.' But everything that happens from now on is lagniappe, as we say in the Gulf."

READ: Robin Roberts opens up about girlfriend Amber Laign

Roberts, who previously came out as gay in December 2013, also reflects on her 50th birthday celebration with Laign, a licensed massage therapist whom she's been dating for a decade. 

"It was my 50th birthday celebration, and Amber [Laign] had heard me moaning and groaning about some kind of party," she recalls. "I'd told her all I wanted to do was dance on the beach. We were on Turks and Caicos. She set the whole thing up—a dance floor on the beach—as a surprise. But then it rained. Still, I was just thrilled that she heard me."

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She adds of her longtime girlfriend: "There is no fuss with us. We're so happy. We've been happily in a relationship for 10 years and are looking forward to the next 10 after that."

With regards to her return to Good Morning America so soon after her transplant, the sports fanatic explains why she was ready to get back in the game. 

"Just the emotion of seeing people who I know didn't think they were going to see me again. Some people were, like, 'Why were you in such a hurry to get back?'" she shares, "It wasn't about being back on TV. It was about being back in life. I could've stayed longer in an isolated room, but I didn't want life to continue to pass me by. I wanted to participate in life. Put me in, Coach. I'm ready to play."

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