Beloved Fox News host and weather anchor Janice Dean has announced a temporary departure from the network, citing health concerns. At 55, Dean, who has been living with multiple sclerosis since 2005, opened up in a heartfelt Instagram post about her decision to take a break. She conveyed the need for rest and recuperation to regain her strength and vitality.

In her message, Dean assured her followers that she was doing okay but required time away from work and social media to address her health issues. She shared that a recent trip to Rome with her husband, Sean Newman, provided spiritual healing, but emphasized that her current priority is her physical well-being. Expressing gratitude towards her Fox News colleagues, she highlighted their support and understanding during this time.

Dean expressed how fortunate she feels to take this hiatus for her family. She reflected on the rejuvenating experience in Rome with Sean, which marked the beginning of her healing journey. True to her candid nature, Dean wanted to keep her audience informed about her temporary absence, assuring them of her return. She concluded her post with heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of support and well-wishes.

Dean first shared the news of her diagnosis in 2023, revealing that she had been silently battling the ‘invisible illness’ since 2005. ‘My body is attacking its central nervous system, the brain, and the spine,’ she shared at the time. ‘There’s a communication breakdown between the messages our brain sends to the rest of our body. Even though we look okay on the surface – I got my hair and makeup done, I’m smiling on Fox & Friends – inside can be quite a challenge and what it feels like.’

Multiple sclerosis can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms, per Mayo Clinic. While there is no cure, medication and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. Dean first started working for Fox News in 2004 and she now serves as a senior meteorologist and co-host on Fox & Friends.

She made headlines back in February 2021 after she launched a blistering attack against then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. She called for him to resign and to be prosecuted after a top aide admitted the administration covered up data about coronavirus-related nursing home deaths. Among those deaths were Dean’s own father- and mother-in-law, who died from COVID-19 in March and April of 2020, respectively.