Hoda Kotb Reflects Emotionally on 'Today' Imagining Her Late Father's Bond with Her Daughters

Hoda Kotb Chokes Up Talking About Late Dad on His 91st Birthday

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On the Wednesday, May 29 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, cohost Hoda Kotb shared a bittersweet moment. She mentioned that it would have been her dad's birthday that day. Kotb, who is 59 years old, expressed to Jenna Bush Hager that anyone who has lost a parent can relate to the feeling of remembering their birthdays, no matter how much time has passed.

Hoda reflected on her father, Abdel Kader Kotb, as she prepared for the day. She mentioned, "I calculated how old he would have been today. I was doing some math." She added, "He would have turned 91 today. Isn't it surreal when you think about it?" (Her father passed away at 52 in 1985.)

Bush Hager, aged 42, noted that when a significant day related to a lost loved one comes around, it "brings you back to that moment." Hoda concurred, saying, "It's interesting how you measure time from that point. You think, 'How many years has it been? How many [birthdays]?' You remember everything."

While reflecting on her father's passing, Hoda became emotional when mentioning her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 4. She shared, "I was actually thinking about him with the girls." Jenna Bush Hager reassured Hoda that her father would be "so, so proud" of her and her daughters.

Hoda welcomed her children in 2017 and 2019 through adoption with her former fiancé Joel Schiffman. Unfortunately, her father passed away from a heart attack while she was in her junior year at Virginia Tech, never having the chance to meet her daughters.

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When Hoda found out about her dad's passing on a June 2021 episode of Minnie Driver's "Minnie Questions" podcast, she was shocked. Her brother Adel rushed in and delivered the news, mentioning their past jokes about crashing Tri Delt formals. Despite her initial disbelief, Adel urged her to come outside and broke the heartbreaking news that their dad had suffered a heart attack and passed away. The moment felt surreal, making it hard for Hoda to process the reality of the situation.

Reflecting on her dad's death during a December 2023 episode of Hoda & Jenna, Hoda opened up about how it helped her overcome insecurities as an older mom. She shared that the loss of her father in college taught her a valuable lesson about cherishing the time spent with loved ones. Hoda expressed gratitude for the foundation her dad had laid for her, emphasizing that the memories and teachings from a parent are invaluable and irreplaceable.

Hoda Kotb Chokes Up Talking About Late Dad on His 91st Birthday

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In the absence of Hoda’s father, her daughters have formed a strong bond with her mother, Sameha Kotb. Hoda recently shared adorable Instagram photos of Haley and Hope showering their grandmother with hugs and kisses, captioning it with “This happened about 10 minutes ago, my girls … My mom … Oh my heart️.”

During the May 28 episode of Hoda & Jenna, Hoda talked about a “little vacation” she, her kids, and her mom enjoyed together over Memorial Day weekend. She mentioned that Haley and Hope even put on “Taylor Swift shows” for them during the trip.

Editor's P/S:

Hoda Kotb's poignant remembrance of her father's birthday serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of parental loss. Despite the passage of time, the absence of a loved one can still evoke a profound sense of longing and bittersweet memories. Kotb's reflection on her father's 91st birthday highlights the complex emotions that accompany the remembrance of significant milestones without the presence of those we cherish.

Furthermore, Kotb's story underscores the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. The loss of her father at a young age taught her the valuable lesson of not taking moments for granted. Despite the pain of their absence, the memories and teachings of parents remain invaluable guides and sources of inspiration. Kotb's daughters' strong bond with their grandmother serves as a testament to the lasting legacy of family connections and the enduring love that transcends generations.