You might have noticed a familiar face missing from your morning routine! Hoda Kotb, the beloved anchor of the Today show and Hoda and Jenna, has been taking some time away from the screen. Let’s dive into the details and find out what’s been going on with this incredible woman.
Where Has Hoda Kotb Been Lately?
At 58 years old, Hoda Kotb has been absent from the Today show since early March. This wasn’t due to an unexpected situation but rather a planned spring break vacation with her two children. Hoda and her co-host Jenna Bush Hager both decided to step back from their daily routines to focus on family time during the break. Instead of live episodes, pre-recorded segments of Hoda & Jenna have been airing during the third hour of the show.
Interestingly, Hoda had previously missed a few episodes in late February, which left fans concerned. On February 24, she wasn’t present, and again on February 27, viewers noticed her absence. During her first day out, World News Tonight anchor Tom Llamas stepped in, while Craig Melvin took her place the following day.
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On Today With Hoda and Jenna, Jenna was joined by Sheinelle Jones and Willie Geist, with other co-hosts stepping in during Hoda’s absence. It’s clear that the team rallied to keep the show running smoothly while she focused on her family.
What Caused Hoda Kotb's Absence from ‘Today’?
During her earlier absence in February, Hoda’s co-hosts didn’t share much about her whereabouts, especially given her daughter Hope’s health struggles. On February 26, Savannah Guthrie briefly mentioned, “Hoda’s off today.” That simple statement left fans wondering if Hoda was simply enjoying a well-deserved break over the long weekend.
Hoda, who hails from Oklahoma, had been active on her Instagram account over the weekend, sharing a series of inspiring quotes like “She’s magic, that one,” and “Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.” These uplifting words gave her fans some reassurance that everything was okay.
On March 1, Savannah herself was missing from the broadcast after testing positive for COVID-19. Craig Melvin updated the audience, saying, “Savannah and Hoda are both off. Savannah is home recovering from a positive test yesterday. We wish her a speedy recovery.” Regarding Hoda, he added, “Hoda’s okay. She’s dealing with a family health matter, so we look forward to seeing both Savannah and Hoda back soon.”
Even though Hoda wasn’t present for the March 3 episode, she made a pre-taped appearance interviewing Olivia Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, and daughter, Chloe Lattanzi. Sheinelle introduced the segment, explaining that Hoda had recently spoken with the family, and Craig teased her return, though no specific date was given.
When Did Hoda Kotb Come Back to ‘Today’?
After a two-week absence, the Emmy-winning anchor returned to the show on Monday, March 6. Hoda took the time to share her daughter Hope Catherine’s health battle that led to her stepping away from the screen.
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“My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU and then in the hospital for over a week,” Hoda explained during the episode. “I’m so grateful she’s home now. We’re watching her closely, but I’m just so thankful to have her back.”
Savannah also returned that day and was there to support her friend as she opened up about Hope’s recovery. Hoda expressed her gratitude, saying, “When your child is ill, you realize how much you appreciate everyone who helped you. I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Weill Cornell and to my family and friends, especially you, Savannah, who were there for me every day.”
In addition to her demanding career at the New York City news station, Hoda is a devoted mom to two daughters—Haley Joy, whom she adopted in 2017, and Hope, whom she adopted in 2019. She co-parents with her ex, Joel Schiffman, whom she described as a “great dad.” Despite their split in January 2022, Hoda remains grateful for their time together, saying, “I don’t regret a single moment of our relationship because it brought me here. Joel gave me the courage to become a mom, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.”
Is Hoda Kotb Planning to Leave ‘Today’?
There’s been no indication that Hoda is leaving Today, where she has been a beloved fixture since joining the fourth hour in 2008 alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. However, a cryptic Instagram post on February 27 raised some eyebrows among her followers. The post featured a landscape photo with the phrase “Choose Hope” written across it, accompanied by three red heart emojis.
Some fans interpreted this as a sign of change on the horizon, asking questions like, “What happened to you?” and “When are you coming back?” But for now, Hoda seems committed to her role on
