Hoda Kotb, the beloved Today show anchor and single mom, experienced a life-altering shift after her daughter, Hope, was hospitalized in a “scary crisis,” spending nearly a week in the intensive care unit. The experience changed everything for Hoda, and her perspective on work and family would never be the same again.
As she shared, “I realized how quickly time passes, especially when you have children later in life. I wanted to give them more of my time, to be present for every milestone, and to experience all those little moments together.” Hoda, who became a mother in her 50s with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, now feels the weight of time more than ever. “We only have a finite amount of time,” she says, and it’s clear her priorities have shifted toward making every second count with her daughters, Haley and Hope.
Waking up at 4 a.m. every day for Today had become increasingly difficult, and Hoda admitted, “People don’t realize that being on a morning show is like being an athlete. Your whole life revolves around that.” Despite her deep love for the job, she knew it was time to re-focus on what truly mattered.
In 2026, Hoda briefly returned to Today as a fill-in host during her colleagues’ time off. Her return was welcomed with open arms, but once her co-hosts returned, Hoda once again stepped back into her cherished role of full-time mom. Now, with her family as her top priority, she’s savoring the moments of everyday life with Haley and Hope.
“Time is precious, and family comes first,” Hoda reminds us all. Her emotional journey is a testament to the power of love and the importance of choosing what matters most.
