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Hoda Kotb on Thursday, May 4, 2023© Getty

Today's Hoda Kotb in tears live on show following emotional appearance from daughters

The star and her co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, celebrated Mother's Day early

Diane Shipley
Senior Online Writer
May 14, 2023
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Hoda Kotb was brought to tears during the last Today show of the week – as the NBC program celebrated Mother's Day. 

The star, who is a doting mom-of-two, was surprised by a virtual visit from her daughters Haley, six, and Hope, three, and she reacted emotionally, as you can see in the video below… 

WATCH: Today's Hoda Kotb in tears live on show before Mother's Day

The moving video was also a sweet surprise for Hoda's co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, who is a mother-of-three. 

Hoda recently paid a special tribute in honour of her youngest daughter. She commemorated the start of National Nurses Week by sharing her heartfelt experience with nurses while her three-year-old daughter was in the ICU

 Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Wednesday, May 10, 2023© Getty
Hoda and Jenna share a special bond

Alongside her co-anchor Jenna, Hoda reflected on the comforting presence of nurses during her difficult time at the hospital. She took a few weeks off from Today in February when young Hope was admitted. 

Hoda and Jenna on set in May 2023© Getty
The stars often open up about their experience as parents

Speaking candidly, she recalled an emotional moment at 3 a.m., sitting alone in a hospital room, when a nurse entered and offered a supportive touch without saying a word. 

Ask Andy Panel from the Javits Center in New York City with Hoda Kotb© Getty Images
Hoda is a busy mom

"I was just in this room in a chair by myself, thinking about, like, what's going on here," the 58-year-old said. "And this nurse walked in, put her hand on my back, didn't even say anything, just sat there for a minute. I was like, 'Oh my God.' I could feel myself, like, right at the time." 

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on the Today Show© Getty Images
Hoda Kotb with Savannah Guthrie on the Today Show

Jenna described the nurse as "like an angel," while Hoda emphasized the nurse's understanding of her emotional state. "They knew at that moment," she said, adding that nursing involves much more than medical tasks like administering IVs and tests. "It's everything that they do."

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show© Getty
Hoda and Jenna are firm friends

Hoda also shared a touching memory of asking for a bath for her daughter. "I remember they got this little plastic thing, and they put it in the shower and put Hope in it," she recalled. "That tiny thing, but it was everything at the time. It was beautiful." 

Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin on Today© Today
Hoda with Craig Melvin on the NBC show

While Hoda has not disclosed further details about her daughter's diagnosis, she previously described the experience on Today with Hoda and Jenna as "really scary." 

Speaking fondly of Hope, she said her daughter is "vibrant and brilliant" and expressed her joy at having her little one back home. The broadcaster adopted her two daughters with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman

Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker © Getty
The star is an integral part of Today

Speaking on the show before Mother's Day, she said: "I had been through an illness, and the idea of getting to a point of having my own children was not even imaginable to me."

I was about to go into surgery for breast cancer. I remember the doctor looked at my mom, who was terrified, and she said, 'Ms. Kotb, I'm going to take care of your little girl and bring her home.'"

Hoda Kotb with her mom Sami Kotb© Getty Images
Hoda with her mom Sami Kotb

She further spoke of how the moment found a full circle happy ending, saying: "I remember when I placed Haley in my mom's arms, and I thought to myself, who would have ever thought that could happen?"

MORE: Today's Hoda Kotb and co-hosts prepare for major show shake-up – and it's happening so soon

"So to think from that moment there in the hospital to this moment watching my mom hold my children, it's like, God is good."

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