5 Shocking Reasons Why Lara Spencer Was Missing From GMA: Health Scares, New TV Deals, And Her Current Status In December 2025

The question "What happened to Lara on GMA?" has been trending among viewers for months, especially following a noticeable absence from the *Good Morning America* anchor desk. As of December 2025, the popular co-anchor, known for her upbeat energy and segments on home design and thrifting, has clarified her status, revealing that her time away was due to a significant health issue and a continuous professional shift toward new television production ventures.

The truth is that Lara Spencer remains a vital part of the ABC News family, having recently signed a multi-year deal, but her schedule has been impacted by a painful double foot surgery and her commitment to launching a major new unscripted competition series. This deep dive explores the exact reasons behind her time off, her current role at *Good Morning America*, and the exciting new projects that are keeping her busy outside of the studio.

Lara Spencer: A Complete Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Lara Spencer, born Lara Christine Von Seelen, has established herself as one of the most recognizable and enduring faces in American morning television. Her career spans decades, marked by a blend of serious journalism and lifestyle hosting.

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• Full Name: Lara Christine Von Seelen
• Date of Birth: June 19, 1969
• Hometown/Early Life: Garden City, Long Island, New York
• Education: Graduated from Penn State University on an athletic scholarship for diving.
• Early Career: Began her career in journalism in local news, eventually hosting the entertainment news magazine show *The Insider* and a number of primetime television specials for CBS.
• Good Morning America (GMA): Joined ABC News in 1999, becoming a feature reporter and eventually a co-anchor on *Good Morning America*. She reduced her role in 2018 to three days a week to focus on her production company.
• Other Notable TV Work: Host of the highly successful HGTV series *Flea Market Flip* (2012–2020), which she also executive produced. She is a two-time *New York Times* bestselling author.
• Personal Life: Married to tech entrepreneur Richard "Rick" McVey since September 2018. She was previously married to David Haffenreffer (2000–2015), with whom she shares two children.
• Current Status (December 2025): Co-anchor and contributor for *Good Morning America*, and host/executive producer of the upcoming series *That Thrifting Show*.

The Real Reason for Lara Spencer's Recent Absence from GMA

The most recent and concerning reason for Lara Spencer's time away from the *Good Morning America* desk was not a contract dispute or a permanent departure, but a serious health matter that required immediate attention.

Double Foot Surgery: In late 2025, Lara Spencer revealed to her fans and co-hosts that she had undergone two challenging surgeries on both of her feet simultaneously. She shared updates on social media, documenting her recovery process and explaining the agonizing decision to have both procedures at once to minimize her time away from work.

A Lingering College Injury: One of the procedures was necessary to address a long-standing injury. Spencer explained that one of her foot issues stemmed from a college diving accident—a testament to her athletic background at Penn State University. The need for a double surgery meant an extended period of rest and recovery, which naturally led to her noticeable absence from the live broadcast of *Good Morning America* and sparked the initial curiosity among viewers.

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Her co-hosts, including Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, expressed their shock and support for her health journey, and fans rallied around her on social media, sending well wishes for a swift recovery.

Lara Spencer's Current Status: New Contract and Reduced Schedule

Despite the speculation that she may be leaving the show, Lara Spencer has solidified her commitment to ABC News. Her current status is a mix of on-air presence and behind-the-scenes production work, which explains her non-daily appearances.

Multi-Year Deal with ABC News: In a clear sign of her continued dedication, Lara Spencer signed a new, multi-year deal with ABC News. This contract ensures she will remain a key contributor and anchor on *Good Morning America* for the foreseeable future, putting to rest any rumors of a permanent exit.

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The Three-Day-a-Week Schedule: The perception that Lara is "missing" often stems from a change she made years ago. In April 2018, Spencer announced she would be reducing her appearances on *GMA* to three days a week. This decision was made to allow her to dedicate more time to her television production company and other creative projects. This strategic move allows her to balance her high-profile morning news role with her passion for design-focused television.

Balancing Work and Personal Life: Her current schedule also allows her to pursue personal interests, such as her recent "dream come true" family adventure traveling through South Africa with her husband, Richard McVey. This balance between professional commitment and personal time is a key factor in her longevity in the demanding world of morning television.

The Future of Lara Spencer: 'That Thrifting Show' and New Ventures

Lara Spencer’s career trajectory is increasingly moving into the realm of hosting and producing lifestyle content, leveraging the passion she developed during her successful run on *Flea Market Flip*.

Introducing *That Thrifting Show*: The most significant new project on her plate is the unscripted competition series, *That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer*. Announced in September 2025, the series is a major undertaking that will debut on Freeform and Hulu in 2026. The show is a natural evolution from her previous HGTV hit, focusing on design, upcycling, and the thrill of finding treasures at flea markets and thrift stores.

The Producer Role: The move to a new series highlights her growing influence as a television producer. By taking on a more significant role behind the camera, she is cementing her status as a media entrepreneur, not just an on-air personality. This shift is a primary reason why her *GMA* role remains important but not all-consuming.

A Focus on Passion Projects: Lara Spencer's new ventures, from her New York Times bestselling books on home decorating to her new design show, demonstrate her commitment to sharing her love for "flipping trash for cash." This passion-driven focus is where her career is headed, and viewers can expect to see her continue to pop up on *GMA* to share her latest finds and adventures, interspersed with her work on new production projects.