Hoda Kotb made an emotional return to the Today show this week, revealing that her youngest daughter, Hope Catherine, has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Speaking to co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, Kotb shared that the diagnosis had been kept private until now, despite countless sleepless nights and behind-the-scenes battles.
“So many nights Hoda would be up all night with Hope and then come in here with that smile on her face,” Guthrie said during the segment, praising Kotb’s quiet strength. “I bore witness to that, and that is a burden to carry.”
Kotb nodded, replying, “You were in the hospital when it all happened. I think you just get a priority check in your life.”
The veteran journalist explained that caring for a young child with diabetes requires near-constant monitoring. “You’re constantly watching, you’re constantly checking,” she said, describing how she juggled her daughter’s care while hosting a national TV show.
Still, Kotb, ever the optimist, noted that six-year-old Hope is doing well. “For 23 and a half hours, she’s every other kid,” she said. “So I try to remember that.”
Hope’s health journey has been a long one. In early 2023, Kotb stepped away from Today due to a family health crisis, later revealed to be related to Hope’s hospitalization. A year later, Kotb shared that the family had moved out of the city to focus on recovery and a slower pace of life.
Alongside the health update, Kotb also announced the launch of her new wellness brand, Joy 101. Describing it as a “fun world where we get to hang out,” Kotb encouraged fans to sign up for the app and join the community.
Her fans were quick to rally around her. “Miss her every day,” one wrote on Instagram. “We love and miss Hoda!!” said another.
The longtime NBC personality adopted Hope in 2019, two years after welcoming her first daughter, Haley Joy. Both children were adopted following Kotb’s 2007 battle with breast cancer, which left her unable to conceive. She shares both girls with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, though the couple split in 2022.
Despite all the change in her life, Kotb said being back on set “feels like not a minute’s passed.” Then, in true Hoda fashion, she cracked a smile and added, “Wait, who’s this guy sitting in my seat?”
Fans can catch more updates on Hope, Hoda, and Joy 101 via Kotb’s new Instagram venture and upcoming app.
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A lot of people live with Type 1 Diabetes.
It’s manageable with very effective drugs and monitoring devices out there.
She’s not the only one to go through this. Don’t make it about her. Maybe she could become a spokesperson for getting the cost of insulin DOWN FOR ALL PEOPLE who have this autoimmune disease, not just for the elderly on Medicare.
Yep, this happens to millions of families… they’ll have to deal with it… like the others do… along with Hoda being let go for being too old… hopefully she gets some ‘retirement’ to live on…