Viewers of the TODAY show have been missing their beloved co-host Hoda Kotb, with many wondering the reason behind her two-week absence.
After Savannah Guthrie tested positive for COVID last week, most were certain that Kotb was in the same boat.
However, upon her return to the morning show on Monday, Kotb revealed her 3-year-old daughter Hope was hospitalized for more than a week.
Kotb emotionally explained to viewers:
"My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week. I'm so grateful she's home."
"We are watching her closely. I am just so happy."
On the verge of tears, she continued, sharing her gratitude to all:
"You know what I realized, Savannah?"
"When your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who helped you out. So I'm grateful for the doctors at Cornell, who are amazing, and the nurses, and I'm grateful to family, and I'm grateful to friends like you, who were there every single day."
She finished:
"So I want to thank you for that."
"I love you."
You can watch the emotional segment below.
Hoda Kotb returns to TODAY after family health matteryoutu.be
Viewers and colleagues sent their love to the host—along with well wishes for Hope—and shared their excitement for Kotb's return.
\u201c@TODAYshow Yay @hodakotb we missed you and so sorry for all you have been through! Sending so much love your way!\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow Wishing Hope well, @hodakotb \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffb\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow From a fellow Chris Meloni's fan (from Italy) to another, sending love to Hoda and her little girl! Hugs.\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow Oh Hoda!! I started crying listening to you. I\u2019m so happy little Hope is well.\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow Amen. Glad to hear she's home doing better, & happy to see you back on @TODAYshow \nGod bless you all. \ud83d\ude4f\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow So happy to hear that your daughter is doing better, and that she is home. Glad your back to Today!\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow Welcome back @hodakotb we've missed you and we're so happy to hear that your beautiful daughter is home! God bless you! \ud83d\udc95\u2764\ufe0f\u2728\ufe0f\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow We LOVE you Hoda!! So happy to hear that she is HOME.\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow We are thankful that your sweet Hope is home! Sending well wishes for continued healing...\ud83c\udf08\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow So happy everybody is doing well!!! \ud83e\udd70\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
\u201c@TODAYshow Welcome back, Hoda!! Glad to hear Hope is doing better!! We missed u!! Sending love & blessings!!\ud83d\udc97\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u201d— TODAY (@TODAY) 1678104565
Later on Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb opened up the situation again in greater detail, telling co-host Jenna Bush Hager and their viewers:
"I'm over the moon that she's home."
\u201cHoda Kotb is back this morning after handling her daughter Hope\u2019s health matter. \n\n\u201cI\u2019m over the moon that she\u2019s home,\u201d Hoda said while expressing gratitude for all the people who supported her \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@TODAY with Hoda & Jenna) 1678115327
We, too, are happy to have Kotb back, and we're glad to hear Hope is home and doing better.
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