Janice Dean, widely known as “The Weather Machine” at Fox News, has built her career on delivering forecasts with a mostly sunny demeanor. Her positive outlook and radiant smile have earned her a special place on television. However, behind the scenes, Janice Dean’s life has been anything but sunny, marked by personal struggles and battles, both public and private.
In recent years, Dean has shifted from simply being a meteorologist to using her platform as an advocate, especially after a family tragedy linked to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic policy. Beyond the forecast, Dean has faced immense personal trials, including losing loved ones and her ongoing battle with a debilitating illness. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and perseverance.
Tragedy Strikes: A Family’s Heartbreak
Dean’s life took a tragic turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when her in-laws, Michael and Dolores Newman, both died in nursing homes within weeks of each other. Michael, a former firefighter, was staying in a rehabilitation center in Brooklyn, while Dolores was in a Long Island care facility. The plan was for the couple to reunite once their health improved. Sadly, both succumbed to COVID-19, leaving their family in shock and grief.
The situation worsened when Dean discovered that former Governor Andrew Cuomo had issued a directive preventing nursing homes from denying admission to COVID-positive patients. This policy, enacted in March 2020, exposed many vulnerable residents to the virus, and Cuomo’s administration allegedly concealed the full extent of the nursing home deaths. Records revealed that over 9,000 COVID patients were released into care homes, leading to thousands of deaths, including those of Dean’s in-laws.
Dean didn’t want to speak out at first, but the pain of losing her loved ones and Cuomo’s dismissive response spurred her to action. When Cuomo made light of the pandemic during a comedy skit with his brother, CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Dean couldn’t stay silent any longer. She became an outspoken critic, calling for transparency and justice for those affected by the disastrous policy.
A Meteorologist Turned Advocate
Though she is not a political commentator, Dean’s advocacy work took her into the political arena. She wrote an impassioned article, detailing why she believes policies like Cuomo’s should never be allowed to harm families again. Despite efforts to silence her and diminish her voice, including derogatory remarks from Cuomo’s team about her being “just a weatherwoman,” Dean persisted. She took her message to various platforms, from “Fox & Friends” to interviews with prominent hosts like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity.
Dean’s advocacy work goes beyond personal grief. She has called for continued investigations into Cuomo’s handling of the nursing home crisis and has fought for legislative changes that protect vulnerable populations in care facilities. Her passion for justice and her willingness to speak out for the “little guy” have even led to some of her friends encouraging her to pursue a political career—an idea she has yet to embrace fully.
A Personal Battle with Multiple Sclerosis
In addition to her advocacy, Dean has been fighting a private battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) for years. The disease, which affects the central nervous system, causes symptoms like fatigue, numbness, and lack of coordination, making live broadcasting especially challenging. Diagnosed in 2005 after experiencing unexplained fatigue and numbness, Dean initially kept her diagnosis private. She feared it could jeopardize her career, a concern echoed by others with similar conditions.
In 2017, she finally went public with her diagnosis, inspired by her colleague Neil Cavuto, who also has MS. Cavuto reassured her that their employer, Fox News, would support her and that every MS patient’s experience is unique. With proper treatment, including disease-modifying therapies and lifestyle changes, Dean has managed her symptoms and continues to thrive professionally and personally.
Looking Forward
Despite the immense challenges, Dean remains a beacon of resilience. She’s continued her career as a meteorologist, authored children’s books, and most importantly, she’s used her voice to advocate for transparency and justice. Her personal struggles have fueled her desire to make a difference, and she’s taken on that role with grace and determination. Whether or not she ever pursues a political career, one thing is certain: Janice Dean’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience in the face of adversity.
What will the future hold for this weatherwoman turned advocate? For now, Dean’s focus remains on advocating for the issues that matter to her and continuing her work in the world of weather—always with her trademark smile, even when life is anything but sunny.
