Today has finally addressed host Hoda Kotb’s mysterious week-long absence from the morning show – revealing that the 58-year-old mother-of-two has taken time off to deal with a “family health matter”.
Hoda sparked serious concern from viewers after she disappeared from the Today show without explanation following her last on-air appearance on Feb. 17.
Now her co-hosts have given a brief glimpse of the reason for her absence, with Craig Melvin telling viewers on Wednesday morning: “A lot of you have been wondering how [Hoda] is doing. We can tell you that Hoda is doing well, she has a family health issue that she has been dealing with.
Craig, who was joined in the studio by Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker, did not share any further information about the “family health matter,” nor did the Today hosts reveal which members of Hoda’s family were affected.
The Today Show has finally revealed the reason for Hoda Kotb’s week-long absence – explaining that the 58-year-old has been dealing with a “family health matter”.
No further details were given about the “health matter” Hoda – who has two daughters, Haley Joy, six, and Hope Catherine, four – is dealing with
Hoda last appeared on the Today Show on February 17 interviewing Olivia Newton-John’s widower and daughter (seen)
Both @SavannahGuthrie And @HodaKotb are off today as Savannah recovers from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. As for Hoda, she is doing well and attending to a family health matter. We send our love to them both and can’t wait to see them in the studio soon 🧡 pic.twitter.com/EcfVV1zsac
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 1, 2023
The update came just a day after Hoda’s co-host Savannah Guthrie disappeared from the morning show mid-air after testing positive for COVID-19 for a third time on Tuesday.
Savannah, 51, who had co-hosted the morning show alongside Sheinelle in Hoda’s absence, disappeared from the studio about 30 minutes into the show, leaving viewers stunned at her disappearance.
Later in the show, Sheinelle, who had been sitting next to Savannah during her airtime, stated that she “didn’t feel great” and decided to take a COVID-19 test, which came back positive.
“It’s been an interesting morning for us,” said Sheinelle, 44, during the show’s 8 o’clock hour.
“Savannah left early, she wasn’t feeling well so she took a COVID test. It came back positive.
“As soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest. So Savannah we love you and wish you a speedy recovery.’
On Wednesday’s show, Craig, Al and Sheinelle sent best wishes to the two presenters, who made history in 2018 when they became the first all-female team to co-host Today.
“We look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah back here at the desk very, very soon,” Craig said, before Al chimed in, “That’s right. We love you both.’
Presenters Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker shared the update with viewers on Wednesday – more than a week after Hoda’s last on-air appearance
Meanwhile, Hoda’s co-host Savannah Guthrie disappeared from the show mid-air Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 for a third time
Savannah, 51, appeared on air for the show’s first 30 minutes before disappearing from the air – and Sheinelle later revealed the reason for her disappearance
Hoda’s last on-air appearance was on February 17, although she did appear on a pre-taped episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna on February 20 alongside Jenna Bush Hager.
People were also quick to note that she’d neglected to air an episode of her weekly podcast, Making Space, this week.
The TV personality has yet to publicly reveal her reason for her absence.
However, the mother-of-two has continued to post on her Instagram account during her absence, regularly sharing inspirational quotes, including one from last week which read: “One day you will see how brave you have been.”
She then shared another post that read, “There are dark clouds,” the boy said. “Yes, but they will move on,” said the horse. “The blue sky above us never leaves.”‘
A third message Hoda released over the weekend read: “To strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
She also shared a drawing of a sky with clouds that read “Choose Hope,” which she captioned with two heart emojis.
The on-air presenter has shared inspirational quotes on her account in the past – and in October 2020 she even released a book called “Words to live by every day”.
However, Hoda didn’t have the easiest of years last year — when she split from longtime partner Joel Schiffman in January 2022 after nearly a decade together.
She announced they were going their separate ways on her show Hoda & Jenna, explaining that they decided to be “better as friends and parents than as an engaged couple.”
The Today show host at the time insisted there was no bad blood between the two.
“Joel and I have prayed a lot and had meaningful conversations over the holidays, and we’ve decided that we’re better off as friends and parents than as an engaged couple,” she said.
“So we have decided to start this new year on our new journey as loving parents to our adorably adorable children and as friends.
“It’s not like anything happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be for a reason, a season or a lifetime, that was for a season.
During the episode, Hoda, who addressed it after her co-host Jenna pointed out that she wasn’t wearing her engagement ring, said it felt “weird and awkward” talking about it publicly, but added that she doesn’t care wanted to focus on the “happy moments” they had together.
She concluded, “Many women know what it feels like to change course in life. I can feel myself really breathing at this moment, which is a strange feeling. Sometimes in your life you have to tell the truth.”