Fox News host and meteorologist Janice Dean is stepping away from her on-air duties and social media to focus on her health and family, marking a pause in her long-running career. The Fox & Friends co-host, 55, shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on November 12, 2025, explaining her absence from recent episodes of the morning show.

Dean emphasized that while she is “doing okay,” ongoing health issues require her to take time to rest and recover. “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 wrote. She added that a recent trip to Rome with her husband, Sean Newman, provided an opportunity to start “healing spiritually.”

Janice Dean Shares Update on Her Health

Dean reassured her followers that this break is temporary and necessary for her well-being. “And now I have to get back to feeling healthy and strong,” she wrote. “I’ve always been up front and honest about my life, and I felt I owed you an explanation of my absence. But, I will be back. Grateful to you all for the kind words.”

In a follow-up comment, Dean expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans:

“Reading all your comments and I am so grateful for the incredible kindness and support. You guys made me cry! (A good cry!) I promise to get lots of rest and take good care of myself. I appreciate all these beautiful words. Xo.”

Dean’s Journey with Multiple Sclerosis

Janice Dean was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. She first noticed symptoms while traveling to Ottawa, when she felt fatigued and unwell. Reflecting on her diagnosis, Dean told PEOPLE in October 2024:

“It was the shock of a lifetime. I remember just feeling all of it was going to end: that my boyfriend was going to leave me, that I would be in a wheelchair, and I wouldn’t be able to do my job at Fox. All of my dreams kind of came crashing down.”

Since her diagnosis, Dean has been a vocal advocate for the MS community, sharing her experiences to help others navigate the challenges of living with the disease. She has also written about her journey in her 2019 book, Mostly Sunny: How I Learned to Keep Smiling Through the Rainiest Days.

Dean married Sean Newman, a New York City firefighter, in 2007. Together, they have two sons, Matthew and Theodore, and Dean has often credited her family for providing support throughout her health journey.

Janice Dean’s Advocacy and Inspiration

Over the past two decades, Dean has become an influential voice in raising awareness for MS. She frequently connects with patients on social media, offering encouragement and sharing insights from her own experiences. Reflecting on the importance of support, she shared:

“I feel connected to those people, because I know what it’s like to think your life is going to be over… We’re getting better at fighting MS. And they’re going to be okay.”

Her transparency about living with MS has inspired countless fans and colleagues, demonstrating resilience and dedication despite ongoing health challenges.