Let’s talk about a tough decision that hit home for Hoda Kotb. You know, the woman we all adore from Today? Well, she’s in Paris right now covering the Olympics for NBC, but guess who’s not with her? Her two daughters, Haley and Hope. That’s right, folks. Leaving her kids behind wasn’t easy, but she had to weigh the pros and cons. And let me tell you, Hoda didn’t take this decision lightly.
“I actually told my kids first, like, ‘You’re going!’” Hoda, 59, revealed in a candid chat with Women’s Health, published on July 25. “They were super excited, shouting, ‘Yay!’ But let’s be real—they don’t fully understand what that means yet.”
After much thought, Hoda realized it was best for her girls to stay in New York City while she tackled her busy schedule in Paris. “Mom guilt is a real thing, you know,” she confessed during the interview. “Even if we’re in the same country, I’d constantly be worrying—where are they? Are they okay? What are they up to?”
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Why Staying Home Made Sense
Hoda isn’t alone in making tough decisions like this. Her co-host, Savannah Guthrie, chimed in, saying she faced similar challenges when deciding whether to bring her kids, Vale and Charley, along for the ride. “Our schedules are so unpredictable,” Savannah, 52, explained. “We might plan a fun day at the Eiffel Tower, but then suddenly, it’s like, ‘Oops, we’ve got work to do.’”
“But hey, one of these days, we’ll definitely make it happen!” Savannah added, keeping a positive outlook.
Staying Connected Across Miles
On Monday, July 22, Hoda shared on-air how she’s staying connected with Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, despite the distance. “I do a little countdown loop each day where we hide little surprises—stickers or hair ties,” she said. “It helps them know exactly how many days are left until I’m home.”
As part of her coverage, Hoda gave fans a sneak peek of her Paris hotel room on Thursday, signaling that the Today team had arrived in the city just in time for the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26. That evening, she dressed to impress for a kickoff event alongside Willie Geist and Snoop Dogg, one of the torch bearers for the opening ceremony.
Will Céline Dion Make a Grand Return?
There’s buzz that Céline Dion, whom Hoda recently interviewed, might make her highly anticipated return to the stage during the opening ceremony. Céline has been taking a break due to her battle with stiff person syndrome, but insiders say she’s ready to shine again.
During a July 9 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Hoda hinted at big news. “Her manager was off-camera, and I asked, ‘What’s the scoop? When will we see her perform again?’” Hoda recalled. “Her manager practically screamed, ‘No!’ But that little reaction told me everything.”
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While Andy Cohen wasn’t entirely convinced Céline would make her comeback at the Olympics, Hoda stayed optimistic. “She’s going to perform again, and there will be a date and time for it,” she insisted. “She mentioned she’s following a better medical regimen now, which gives her more confidence.”
