George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth STRUGGLE WITH UNSEEN GRIEF just days after joyful celebration—family shaken by sudden loss following daughter’s emotional college milestone

What was supposed to be a picture-perfect moment for the Stephanopoulos family has taken a heartbreaking turn. Just days after proudly watching their daughter graduate college, George Stephanopoulos and wife Ali Wentworth were struck by a personal tragedy that left them reeling. Behind the smiles and celebration was a sudden loss that friends say hit “like a thunderbolt.” What happened right after the ceremony that changed everything? And how are they coping with the heartbreak behind the scenes?

Discover the full story behind the public joy and private pain no one saw coming.

Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos’ wife, Ali Wentworth, opened up about a devastating loss that her family suffered after celebrating their daughter’s college graduation.

“I lost my longtime companion. The greatest dog and integral part of our family,” Ali, 60, captioned a montage of photos shared on Instagram on Wednesday, May 28. “He once swam after a giant Elk in a pond. Ate a whole bottle of melatonin and felt nothing. Always devoured all the candy in our Christmas stockings. Slept at the foot of our bed and dreamt running in place. He loved every species. Especially humans. Kissed and cuddled everyone that came through our door. Cooper was unconditionally adored by all.”

“I will miss him with all my heart. See you on the other side, Coop! We still have many squirrels to chase….” the post concluded.

Several of her celebrity friends left supportive comments and condolences underneath the post.

“Cooper helped me rescue that gull on the beach during one of our many beach walks… The bestest boy!!!!” Beth Ostrosky Stern commented on the post.

“A special kind of heartbreak,” Jennifer Garner wrote with a red heartbroken emoji.

“Aww. I loved him. So sorry honey!” Sean Hayes said.

“Oh no Ali. I’m so sorry,” Julianne Moore said.

“Sending you all love! They are truly the most heart expanding gift we are blessed to share our life with!” Demi Moore said.

In a second Instagram post, Ali shared another montage of photos of Cooper spending time with the family before his death. The comedian shares kids Elliott, 21, and Harper, 19, with George, 64. The posts about the beloved family pet came just days after Ali and George celebrated Elliott’s college graduation in a series of posts on Instagram.

“She did it! Happy graduation to an incredible human being who has her father’s brain and my legs. And if it was the other way around- she’d be screwed. Proud parents! All our children deserve an education!” Ali wrote on Instagram on Sunday, May 25, featuring photos of her daughter on her big day.

George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth Suffer Devastating Family Loss

George also shared some photos with his college graduate over on his Instagram page, writing, “We have a college graduate!!! Congratulations to Elliott, and to the entire class of 2025. We love you and are so proud of you, E!”

During an episode of GMA on Monday, May 26, George opened up about his daughter’s big accomplishment.

“Elliott had a great weekend. She graduated from Brown on Sunday,” the dad of two said during the show. “She was all smiles all weekend long and we are so proud of her.”

Back in August 2023, Ali reflected on dropping Harper off at college and becoming empty nesters.

“We dropped our baby off at college. Everyone is saying ‘she’s ready to launch’! But… I don’t think I’m ready!” the In Living Color alum wrote on Instagram along with a photo of her and her husband holding hands. “I don’t want to stop making pasta with vodka sauce, picking up wet towels, cuddling up to her familiar scent. As Joni Mitchell once wrote- ‘the bed’s too big, the frying pan too wide’. I know our daughter will thrive. But man, it’s brutal on the parents. If you feel inclined- please send me baked goods. I’ll be under my covers.”