Joan Lunden has faced plenty of challenges in her life, and she keeps getting better each day.
The iconic journalist, who served as a co-host of Good Morning America for 17 years, has a new memoir, JOAN: Life Beyond the Script, that hits shelves on March 3. Dressed in jeans and a pink cropped jacket, the blonde beauty hits the cover of the new issue of Woman’s World, and it’s safe to say she looks better than ever.
Why Did Joan Lunden Leave Good Morning America?
While Lunden officially cited that she was “tired of the morning shift” as the reason she left the show in 1997, she has since been clear that she was pushed out for someone younger.
“I mean, I was 47 years old. That’s not old. They don’t push men out because they’re 47,” she told Yahoo Life in 2022, adding, “I don’t look back. I’m not the kind of person that looks back.”
When Did Joan Lunden Have Cancer?
While she may be thriving these days, Lunden has experienced a roller coaster over the last several decades. In June 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer after undergoing a routine mammogram.
“Doctors found two tumors in my right breast: a triple-negative tumor and a DCIS tumor. From the moment you hear the words ‘You have breast cancer,’ everything that was once normal feels as if it is immediately washed away,” Lunden told Today.com in 2017.
While Lunden has a clean bill of health these days, she still has plenty on her plate. She’s the mom of seven, including two sets of twins. She’s written several books and serves as an advocate for early cancer detection. But ultimately, her greatest tip for others is to practice gratitude.
“My cancer battle opened my eyes to just how much my family and friends loved and supported me. I’ve embarked on a visual reconstruction of my life using family albums, keepsakes and memorabilia from my career,” she told the Star last year. “Revisiting memories and milestones gives us a chance to reflect on our lives, to be grateful for what has come before and help us plan for what’s next. Want to know my new mantra? ‘Make today and tomorrow so awesome that you make yesterday jealous!’”
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This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.