today hoda kotb heartbreaking post© Photo: Getty Images

Hoda Kotb reveals impact of COVID on her daughters' childhoods

The Today host is a doting mom-of-two

US Deputy Editor
March 24, 2022

Hoda Kotb is a proud, hands-on parent to her adorable daughters, Haley and Hope, but just like millions of other people, the pandemic has altered their upbringing.

The TV star opened up during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon when she confessed that COVID-19 has meant her children are blissfully unaware of a joyous celebration which most youngsters revel in.

MORE: Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's swimsuit clad polar plunge sparks on-air debate

The host asked Hoda about her daughters - who she adopted with ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman - and she revealed that they had both recently celebrated their birthdays.

WATCH: Hoda Kotb celebrates her birthday with her daughters 

After marveling at how they're already five and three, Hoda admitted that they don't know what a big birthday party is.

"Do you go all out, Hoda Kotb?" asked Jimmy, to which she gave a lengthy explanation of the delicious cake she made before adding: "Due to COVID though, my kids don't know that birthdays are a thing."

MORE: Hoda Kotb gets candid with co-star after on-air reunion

MORE: Hoda Kotb left frustrated live on air by missed opportunity with co-star

As the audience fell silent, Hoda continued: "They don't know that you have big parties. They think that you sit at the house, you have cake and you FaceTime. That's what they think birthdays are."

© Photo: Instagram

Hoda shares her two daughters with her ex Joel Schiffman 

However, rather than be disappointed by the fact, Hoda said: "I'm pumped," and seemed pleased she gets to cherish the intimate celebration with her little girls.

Not that Haley and Hope go without on their special day. Their mom's not-so-secret cake recipe sounds absolutely delicious.

MORE: Hoda Kotb's magical beach photo leaves fans asking the same thing 

MORE: Savannah Guthrie's absence from Today explained - and it involves her co-star 

"Let me tell you what I do," Hoda explained. "I do something that you all should do because it's super easy and fun. I make the best birthday cakes. But let me tell you the secret. Because we have this chef named Elizabeth Heiskell."

Hoda is a doting mom to her two daughters 

Hoda was referring to the southern chef who regularly appears on the Today show.

"She's like. 'Don't be mixing everything. Dump it in. It's a dump cake'. So what you do, you take the Duncan Hines. Dump it in, barely stir it, put it in the oven. The clumps make it delicious. And, when it says cook for 28 minutes, cook for 23.

"People ask if it's the cake my daughter made. I'm like, 'no, that's the cake I made'."

Read more HELLO! US stories here

Like this story? Sign up to our HELLO! Mail newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best celebrity coverage

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Celebrity News

See more