Hoda Kotb returs to `Today,' says 3-year-old daughter was in ICU
NEW YORK >> “Today” anchor Hoda Kotb returned to the NBC morning show Monday after a two-week absence, sharing that her 3-year-old daughter was home following a recent hospitalization.
Kotb's colleagues previously explained she was dealing with a family health matter but didn't get into specifics.
“My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week,” Kotb said on Monday's show. “I'm so grateful she's home. She is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. We are watching her closely. I'm just so happy.”
Kotb, 58, didn't discuss the nature of Hope's medical issue. She was joined at the “Today” desk by coanchor Savannah Guthrie, who also made her return Monday after missing most of last week due to a positive COVID-19 test.
“I'm grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell, who were amazing, and the nurses,” Kotb told Guthrie. “I'm grateful to my family, and I'm grateful to friends like you who were there every single day. So, I want to say thank you for that. I love you.”
Kotb also has a 6-yearold daughter, Haley Joy. The broadcaster's previous live appearance on the “Today” show came on Feb. 17.
“We know a lot of you have been wondering how she's doing,” fill-in host Craig Melvin said of Kotb during last Wednesday's show. “We can tell you that Hoda's OK. She's got a family health matter that she has been dealing with.”
Guthrie left during last Tuesday's broadcast after learning of her positive COVID test.
“As soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest up,” said Sheinelle Jones, who co-anchored with Melvin last week during Guthrie and Kotb's absences. “Savannah, we love you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Kotb, who joined NBC in 1998, has co-anchored the main “Today” show with Guthrie since 2018. She also co-hosts the show's fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager, who replaced Kathie Lee Gifford in 2019.
Longtime “Today” meteorologist Al Roker returned to the show in January after multiple hospitalizations. He was treated for blood clots in November before undergoing surgery for a perforation in his small intestine.