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March 6, 2023 | 7:12 a.m
Hoda Kotb returned to the Today show on Monday and revealed the mysterious “family health matter” that led to her prolonged absence.
“My youngest [daughter]Hope, was in ICU for a few days and in the hospital for over a week,” said co-host Savannah Guthrie’s news anchor at the show’s helm.
“I’m so grateful she’s home,” the 58-year-old continued. “We’re watching them closely. I’m just so happy.”
Kotb went on to thank those who “helped out” during the 3-year-old’s health crisis, including Guthrie.
“I’m grateful to the doctors and the nurses,” she gushed, bursting into tears. “I am grateful to my family and friends like you who have been there every day.”
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NEW: Hoda Kotb returns to TODAY after taking care of her daughter’s health issue.
“I’m so thankful that she’s home,” Hoda said. pic.twitter.com/z5f8herdyB
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 6, 2023
Craig Melvin first told concerned viewers on March 1 that Kotb was dealing with a “family health matter” after being off the air for nearly two weeks with no explanation.
“We know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing,” the 3rd Hour co-host, 43, said at the time. “We can tell you that Hoda is fine, [but] She has a family health issue that she is dealing with.”
Hoda Kotb has broken her silence on the mysterious “family health matter” she has been dealing with. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Melvin added that the show’s crew is “excited to see Hoda and Savannah [Guthrie] back very very soon here at reception,” in reference to 51-year-old Guthrie, who is on hiatus due to her third COVID-19 diagnosis.
“We love you both,” Al Roker added while he, Melvin and Sheinelle Jones blew kisses at the camera.
Kotb revealed her daughter Hope’s hospitalization. NBC
Kotb’s “Today with Hoda & Jenna” co-host Jenna Bush Hager echoed Melvin’s testimony later in the morning.
“Willi [Geist] is for Hoda, and we want you all to know that we heard you and that Hoda is okay,” Bush Hager, 41, said during the show’s fourth hour.
“She only has a family health issue to deal with,” she reiterated.
3rd Hour co-host Craig Melvin, filling in for Kotb, announced that on March 1st she would be handing over a “Family Health Matter with Hoda & Jenna.” Today, as of February 17, Kotb hasn’t been in one Live broadcast occurred. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Bush Hager and Geist, 47, added that they “love” and “adore” Kotb as they eagerly await her return.
The experienced radio journalist was last seen on February 17 in a live broadcast. Her podcast Making Space also went on hiatus to release new episodes every Monday.
Kotb is a mother to two daughters she adopted: Haley and Hope.hodakotb/Instagram
Kotb also took a break from posting her usual family photos and messages to Instagram, only sharing inspirational quotes instead.
The quotes were about choosing “hope” and staying “strong” and “brave” amidst “dark clouds.”
Kotb gushed about ex Joel Schiffman being a “great dad” last August.hodakotb/Instagram
Kotb shares daughters Hope and Haley, 5, with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.
The former couple called off their engagement in December 2021, but they continue to co-parent their girls. The mother-of-two gushed to People about forging a “healthy mix” with the “amazing dad” last August.
Savannah Guthrie was also absent from the news desk after testing positive for COVID-19.todayshow/twitter
“He’ll have a Saturday and I’ll do the Sunday. We change every week,” she explained at the time. “He takes the girls and does some fun stuff and I take some rest.”
“They love it,” she added of Haley and Hope.
Sheinelle Jones also co-hosted “Today with Hoda & Jenna” alongside Jenna Bush Hager. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
During Kotb’s absences from Today and Today with Hoda & Jenna, several members of various news teams filled in for her.
3rd Hour co-hosts Melvin and Jones, 44, were both helping along with longtime Today weatherman Roker, 68.
World News Tonight host Tom Llamas and Carson Daly have also had more active roles in recent weeks.
Jones and Geist were the only two people co-hosting the show’s fourth hour, along with Bush Hager.
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