“Today” show host Hoda Kotb returned to work on Monday after taking several weeks off to care for her youngest daughter, Hope. Kotb noted that her three-year-old girl was hospitalized with what was initially termed a “family health matter.”
“My youngest [daughter], Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for more than a week,” Kotb shared with co-host Savannah Guthrie. “I’m so grateful she’s home. We are watching her closely. I am just so happy.”
Hoda opened Monday’s “Today” show by expressing gratitude to Guthrie and to all who “helped” her navigate the extended traumatic hospitalization of her little girl.
The teary host shared: “I’m grateful for the doctors and the nurses. I’m grateful to my family and to friends like you who were there every single day.”
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On March 1, after many questioned Kotb’s unexplained absence, journalist and “Today” show contributor Craig Melvin announced that she was dealing with a “family health matter.”
Melvin reported: “We know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing. We can tell you that Hoda is OK, [but] she’s got a family health matter that she’s been dealing with.”
Pro-vaccine Guthrie, Kotb’s co-host, has also been off the air recently due to testing positive for COVID-19 for a third time.
Speaking of the absence of the two prominent hosts, Al Roker, speaking for fill-in hosts Melvin and Sheinelle Jones, said, “We love you both,” as all three blew air-kisses to the camera.
Through the challenging ordeal, Kotb received encouragement and support from the “Today” show team members Jenna Bush Hager and Willie Geist — all of who said they “love” and “adore” Kotb and looked forward to her return.
Page Six noted that Kotb shares daughters Hope and Haley, 5, with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman.
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