‘CBS This Morning’ cohost and PBS’ Charlie Rose, the talk show host who conducts his interviews with the notorious noir background, is having heart surgery on Thursday.
CBS News is categorizing his time off as a “brief hiatus.” He’s expected to return in March.
In a story posted to the CBS News website early Wednesday, Rose, 75, explained his condition.
Just six days short of Valentine’s Day, he’s having his aorta valve replaced.
“Almost 15 years ago skilled surgeons replaced my aorta valve with a new replacement valve,” he explained. “It has served me well enabling me to live the vigorous, full, complete life you are all so familiar with. No one loves life more than I do. To continue to live this amazing life so full of challenges and friends, including so many of you in the audience, I have chosen to replace the valve with a new one. The timing is my choice.”
According to news reports, this is not Rose’s first rodeo with health scares.
In 2006, he was traveling in Syria when he had heart trouble and had flew to Paris for surgery and a month-long stay in a hospital.
He said he looks forward to resuming normal life. “I can’t wait to be back completely rested with my heart recharged, my passion for the work ahead purposeful and my joy at life’s pleasures high,” he wrote.
He added, “Until then, stay close.”