On Wednesday, September 6, longtime TODAY show co-host Hoda Kotb pulled off a quick disappearing act during the live broadcast. Fans tuning in at 7 a.m. EST saw Hoda sitting comfortably in her usual spot next to Savannah Guthrie, delivering the top headlines. But just 25 minutes later, she was nowhere to be found. So, where did she go? Well, it turns out she had a more important commitment—her kids' first day of school!
At the start of the episode, the 59-year-old Hoda sat alongside Savannah, ready to dive into the day’s biggest stories. Craig Melvin soon joined them at the news desk. But before long, Hoda stood up, bid farewell to her colleagues, and rushed out the door. Savannah noticed her departure and playfully joked, “Hoda, you’re on the run—it’s the first day of school!”
Craig smoothly slid into Hoda’s chair as she headed out to see her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, off to school. “I’m taking my kids to school!” Hoda exclaimed, clearly in a hurry. Turning to the producers, she joked, “OK, can I leave right now?” It was a moment that reminded everyone just how much family comes first for Hoda, even when she’s in the middle of a live TV show.
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A Special Prep for the Big Day
Just a day before her kids’ first day of school, Hoda took to Instagram to share some adorable behind-the-scenes moments. She revealed that both her daughters, Haley, 6, and Hope, 4, got haircuts in preparation for the special occasion. But here’s the fun part—they didn’t just head to a salon; the mini makeovers happened right in Hoda’s NYC home! The talented hairstylist Laura Bonanni Castorino, who works on the TODAY set, gave the girls their fresh cuts. From the looks of it, Haley and Hope were absolutely thrilled about their new hairstyles and couldn’t wait to show them off at school.
Back to the Show
Savannah and Craig carried on with the broadcast, making sure the audience didn’t miss a beat. Savannah even took a moment to remind everyone to send hugs to Haley and Hope. “Yes, give them a hug for us,” she said warmly. They also reassured viewers that Hoda would be back the next morning at her regular time. In fact, they teased an upcoming interview with none other than Simone Biles, Hoda’s favorite gymnast. “She would not miss it!” Savannah exclaimed, knowing how much Hoda adores Simone.
Back on Set, Ready to Shine
Three hours after dropping her kids off at school, Hoda was back in her element, co-hosting TODAY With Hoda & Jenna alongside Jenna Bush Hager. The transition was seamless, as if she hadn’t been gone at all. Hoda effortlessly jumped back into discussing celebrity topics with Jenna, proving once again why she’s such a beloved figure on the TODAY show.
Her fans were thrilled to see the devoted mom return to the screen after spending much of the summer off. Hoda and her daughters recently returned from a vacation in Mexico, where they enjoyed some quality family time. On Tuesday, September 5, Hoda shared her thoughts about the trip. “I had a great trip with my kids,” she said. “We went to Mexico for fun, and let me tell you something—it was magical. It was one of those vacations where everything just clicked. Everyone was happy, everyone was healthy, and we all felt so grateful to be together.”
She continued, “There were no meltdowns, no arguments—just pure joy. It’s not always like that, but this time, it was perfect. We’re all here, we all feel good, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
