Widower Who Donated Rockefeller Tree Suffers Stroke Before Lighting to Honoring Late Wife

In a tragic twist, Earl Albert, a Massachusetts widower whose beloved 74-foot Norway spruce was chosen as this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, has suffered a stroke.

The 79-year-old, who grew the tree with his late wife, Leslie, decades ago, is now fighting to recover in an Albany, NY hospital, just weeks before the tree lighting ceremony on December 4.

Albert, from the small town of West Stockbridge, had dedicated the tree to Leslie, his wife of 53 years, who passed away in 2020. The couple had planted the tree in their yard back in 1967 as newlyweds, never dreaming it would one day stand as a centerpiece in one of America’s most iconic holiday traditions.

Family members shared that Albert’s sudden stroke has left him determined but uncertain about attending the lighting. “He’s receiving the best care, and he’s holding on to the hope that he can make it to New York for the ceremony,” the family said in a statement. “Earl’s been looking forward to seeing his and Leslie’s tree light up Rockefeller Center. He’s working hard to be there in person.”

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition stretches back over 90 years, but this year’s spruce, towering at 74 feet and weighing in at 11 tons, is unique: it’s the first tree selected from outside New York since 1959. Albert was approached to donate it just days after Leslie’s passing, a timing his family took as a poignant “sign” honoring her memory.

In past interviews, Albert expressed how much the tribute meant to him, calling it “one of the greatest honors of my life.” He and Leslie once adorned the tree together every Christmas until it grew too tall to decorate. “It got so big that I couldn’t decorate it,” Albert recalled.

Now, the colossal tree, with its 50,000 multi-colored bulbs and Swarovski crystal star, stands ready for its big debut.

But Albert’s presence remains uncertain. His family continues to hope he’ll recover enough to attend and see the tree light up the city he and Leslie cherished together.