Inside Today host Carson Daly’s secret health struggles including major back surgery and scary mental diagnosis

TODAY star Carson Daly has suffered some major medical setbacks through the years.

The TV personality has been open with fans about his ups and downs with his loyal supporters.

Carson Daly rose to fame on Total Request Live on MTVCredit: Getty

He’s become an icon and suffered publicly with several ailmentsCredit: Instagram
Carson, 50, is no stranger to the limelight after rising to fame as the face of MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL).

He then moved on, landing a radio VJ job and, later, a hosting gig on Today.

He has long been beloved by viewers, many of whom have been there to support him through his struggles.

During his time on radio and TV, Carson has dealt with many health setbacks.

He’s undergone serious surgeries, received dramatic diagnoses, and more.

Carson has always been open with fans about his struggles.

He has allowed them to rally around him during his recovery as well.

Carson underwent back surgery in September 2022Credit: NBC
In September 2022, Carson revealed that he was on the mend after going under the knife, as reported by Today.

He revealed to fans that he had to have an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) procedure.

The Today host revealed to fans at the time that he had the surgery after dealing with back pain for many years.

Carson told fans on Instagram that he was injured in a snowmobile accident in the 1990s.

He shared throwback photos alongside Tiger Woods along with a long caption about his procedure.

“On Tuesday morning I underwent successful ALIF back surgery. at L5 S1,” he wrote.

“It’s the same operation my SoCal junior golfing buddy @Tigerwoods had in 2017. We’re basically the same person.”

Carson also extended his gratitude to Dr. Andrew Hecht and the team at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City “for all the selfless miracles they perform daily for so many in need. I’m very grateful.”

The post concluded with: “Next up, the road to recovery. Also, like Tiger I plan on winning the Master’s in exactly 2 yrs.”

The star has also been open about his mental health woesCredit: Getty
Carson turned 50 in June and opened up about his mental health.

In an interview with Today.com, he reflected on the years leading up to the milestone birthday.

During the discussion, he revealed that he had spent many of his previous years battling worry and fear.

Carson confirmed that he was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

He told the outlet: “I suffered for so long without knowing what it was.

“I was scared a lot. I always felt panicky. You know that feeling of losing your phone or your wallet? That’s how I felt all the time.”

Carson added: “I couldn’t relax. I couldn’t enjoy life.”

He initially opened up about his anxiety diagnosis in 2018.

At the time, Carson revealed that he suffered his first panic attack in the 90s while hosting TRL.

He credited cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with helping him to manage his anxiety.

CBT is a popular mental health treatment that helps patients to recognize and change their behaviors and patterns of thinking, according to the American Psychological Association.

Carson said in his interview: “I now have the tools to work through my anxiety.

“I’ve never felt this strong mentally, and that’s one of the reasons I feel so good about going into my 50s.”

He also claimed: “I feel better now than I did in my 20s.

“There’s so much self-acceptance that comes with age.”

Carson lost his father J.D. Daly in the 70sCredit: FB/carsondaly
In addition to his own struggles, Carson’s family has experienced some serious losses.

The TV presenter lost his father, J.D. Daly, in 1979.

J.D. was 85 when he died.

He had been battling bladder cancer.

In 2017, Carson lost his mother, Pattie Daly Caruso, and his step-father, Richard Caruso in a one month period.

He opened up about the deaths in interviews and on social media.

Richard died in October 2017, roughly one month after Pattie died.

Pattie suffered a heart attack that turned out to be fatal.

Carson wrote on Instagram after Richard’s death according to Us Weekly: “Pops passed away today with absolute dignity & pride.

“The greatest man we ever knew. Our hero. He exemplified great faith, loyalty to family & hard work. He provided us all with so much. We’re grateful. His legacy lives on in all of us & anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.”

Carson spoke about his mother’s passing in a 2021 tribute to her four years after she died.

“I was in LA on the eve of the Emmy Awards & drove out to Palm Desert, CA where she was frantically dealing with an out of the blue end-stage cancer diagnosis for my dad. He was in rough shape,” he wrote.

“After doing all I could to better their situation and spend some quality time, I kissed them goodbye and drove back to town to have dinner with my wife & attend the show the next day.”

He went on: “She immediately responded, but then suddenly died about 4 hours later. When we woke up to the phone ringing I answered, ‘Is it dad? Did he fall? Is he ok? To which my brace, still in total shock sister replied, ‘No, it’s not dad. It’s MOM, she had a heart attack & passed away.'”

In a second post, he shared their final texts.

Carson captioned the post: “You can feel her love in her words (and emojis). I only am able to carry on each day due to God’s infinite will & strength & the love of my family.

“My wife, 4 incredible kids and sister and her family (who after this all happened moved across the country so we could be a few blocks away from each other because clearly, life is too short & family is EVERYTHING).”