Hoda Kotb had a joyous reunion this week after returning from covering the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. On Thursday, Kotb shared a touching video of the moment she was reunited with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 4.
As Kotb walked through the door, her daughters’ excitement was palpable. “Mommy!” they shouted, running eagerly to greet her. Haley, dressed in a pink dress, was the first to reach her mom, enveloping her in a warm hug before she could even make it inside. Kotb, carrying a bouquet of yellow roses and her bag, was overjoyed to be back home.
Hope, sporting a Spider-Man dress, couldn’t wait for her hug before showing her mom a water bottle in hand, exclaiming, “Mom, look!” The heartwarming moment captured the pure joy of the reunion as the three settled on the couch for some much-needed cuddles.
Throughout the Olympics, Kotb stayed connected with her daughters, sharing photos of them cheering on Team USA from home. Regular FaceTime calls kept them close despite the distance. On Tuesday, Kotb even posted a screenshot from a special call that included her mother, her daughters, and superstar gymnast Simone Biles.
Kotb’s Today show team also surprised her during the Aug. 2 broadcast with a video from her daughters. Dressed in Team USA gear—Haley Joy in a leotard similar to those worn by the gold-winning women’s gymnastics team—the girls sent their mom loving messages. “Hi Mommy, we love you and miss you,” they said. “Go Team USA. Go U.S.A.!”
While Kotb, along with co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and weatherman Al Roker, has returned to New York City, the Today show continues to maintain a strong presence in Paris. Fellow anchor Craig Melvin remains overseas, providing regular updates and interviews with Olympians.
As Kotb settles back into her routine, she’s also preparing for a big milestone—her 60th birthday on Friday. Today with Hoda and Jenna has planned a celebratory show on Monday to mark the occasion.
In an interview with ET last month, Kotb and Guthrie revealed that being away from their loved ones is the hardest part of their time in Paris covering the 2024 Olympic Games.
“It’s so, so much fun. It’s so beautiful. It’s so exciting that, of course, you wish that your kids were here. You wish that your spouse was here,” Guthrie, who shares Vale, 9, and Charley, 7, with her husband, Mike Feldman, said. “But honestly, we are working. When they get a little bit older and… have a little more independence, we would love to bring our kids to the Olympics… We miss them.”
Kotb agreed, but noted that she’s learned a valuable lesson in her time away.
“It’s also teaching us that kids are fine when we are away for a few days. They are perfectly fine,” she said. “We’ve been FaceTiming our kids and communicating with them. Sometimes we feel like we have to be there all the time and [then] we realize they’re growing, they’re thriving, they’re excited. We can’t wait to get home and see them.”
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