Hoda Kotb, 60, Is Leaving 'Today' To Spend More Time With Kids: Meet Her 2 Daughters, Haley And Hope
It's the end of an era: Today is Hoda Kotb's last day on the Today Show.
In September, the 60-year-old stunned fans when she made her emotional announcement. She's anchored the show for 17 years, making this a really big deal. (Also worth noting: She will remain on the Today staff, but won’t be an anchor.)
Over the last few days, the show has put on a series of celebrations (nicknamed “Hoda-brations”) for her, including a reunion with 70 of her Virginia Tech Tri Delta sorority sisters. On January 7, Hoda was joined by the Ludwig family, whose late mother Hoda connected with along her breast cancer journey, per People. On January 10, her final day, guests including Maria Shriver and Simone Biles sent her off.
"I'm not even able to articulate it because I'm a mess most of the times, but I just want to say thanks," Hoda said during her final episode, through tears, per People.
But over the past few months, Hoda has made it clear that she was stepping back from her anchor duties for a good reason—to spend more time with her kids.
“My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she said in a letter published on the Today website. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”
So, where is Hoda Kotb going? Here’s what she’s shared about her family.
How many children does Hoda Kotb have?
Hoda has two children—Haley Joy, 7, and Hope Catherine, 4. Hoda adopted Haley in 2017 and Hope in 2019 with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.
Haley is named after Halley's Comet, telling People that it's because "once in a blue moon that something beautiful like that happens." Hope's name, meanwhile, is symbolic of the feeling it gave her parents.
"The name came because there are a lot of women out there who are hoping that their day is coming too, and I know the feeling of it not happening for a long time," Kotb said during a 2022 episode of Today.
Hoda regularly shares photos of her daughters on Instagram, making it clear that she’s a proud mama:
How old was Hoda when she adopted her children?
Hoda was 53 when she adopted Haley, and 55 when she adopted Hope. In 2007, Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer, which left her unable to conceive.
In a 2023 Today episode, Hoda said that she doesn't carry any embarrassment about becoming an "older mom." "I am so happy and fulfilled with my decision that I don't feel any ounce of shame,” she said.
She hasn't closed the door on more kids, too. "I get signs," she said during a 2024 appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. "I have held on to all of our baby stuff—all of it—because here's the truth about life: I keep meeting people who remind you that your heart's ability to expand is beyond measure."
Is Hoda’s ex Joel involved with her kids?
Although Hoda and Joel broke off their engagement in 2022, the couple continue to share custody of Hope and Haley.
"I have two incredible children I share with him," she told People that same year. "And it's because of Joel that I have Haley and Hope, without question. I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone."
They seem to have a positive relationship, with Hoda penning a sweet tribute to him on Father's Day.
“Happy father's day to the best dad!” she wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of Joel cuddling on a couch with their daughters.
Hoda ended up not taking her kids with her when she covered the Olympics in Paris, chalking it up to "mom guilt." "[There's] the guilt of being in the same country and going on shoots and wondering, 'Where are they? Are they okay? What are they doing?'" Hoda exclusively told Women’s Health.
However, the girls still seemed to get into the spirit of the Games:
Is Hoda Kotb’s daughter ill?
Hoda’s younger daughter Hope had a health scare in 2023. Hope daughter was in the ICU for several days and hospitalized for more than a week, she told People last year. Hoda took two weeks off of work to care for her daughter.
There was a “scary stretch” with her daughter’s health, Hoda said. “Any parent who’s been through a scary thing with their child understands. It’s like you just can’t believe that your child’s sick,” she told People. “You can’t believe that there’s nothing you can do. You can’t believe that no matter what you do, you can’t will it away or protect her, or all the things that we’re supposed to be doing as parents. And it’s a position I’ve never found myself in.”
Hoda declined to provide details of her daughter’s health, but added that she needed to hire extra help to manage Hope’s medical demands. “It’s really tricky, because I don’t want Hope to get labeled. She’s a kid who is so vibrant, and most days everything is totally fine. I don’t want people to look at her differently,” she said.
Worth noting: Hope has appeared healthy and happy in more recent Instagram posts from Hoda.
You will be missed, Hoda!
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