At 58, Hoda Kotb Ponders The Possibility Of Seeing Her Young Daughters Get Married And Have Kids

Jun 20, 2023

As a parent who began her motherhood journey at a later age, TV anchor Hoda Kotb redirected her priorities and found a balance between work and parenthood. The celebrity mom spends quality time with her daughters while learning the rudiments of motherhood. During a June 2023 interview with reality star Bethenny Frankel, Kotb opened up about motherhood and some of the "anxiety" she experienced concerning maternity at her age. 

Kotb, a seasoned TV anchor with close to four decades of experience, has two daughters, Hope Catherine and Haley Joy, both in their formative years. In 2017, the Today star made headlines after she welcomed her first child via adoption. 

At the time, Kotb shared her big news through a call she gave to her colleagues during a segment on Today. Per CNN, the TV star stated during the call, "I do have something to tell you, but you know what, how about this, instead of telling you, I'm going to show you something." The screen shifted to show an image of her holding a baby as she continued her announcement. 

Kotb excitedly added: "That little girl, Haley Joy – I'm crying – is my daughter… She's a Valentine's baby. She's a little nugget. She is the love of my life." The star was 52 when she welcomed her first child with her ex-partner Joel Schiffman. 

The "Making Spaces With Hoda Kotb" host became a second-time mother two years later in 2019. She introduced her second daughter, Hope, to the world in the same fashion she did the first time. Kotb called into a Tuesday episode of Today to share news of her second bundle of joy.

The elated mother-of-two did not hold back on her joy as she gushed over how her first child was already playing the big sister role. The TV personality noted that while she fed Hope that morning, Haley tried giving her raspberries. She sweetly added that the little girl fawned over her sister and was already proud of her new role. 

Prior to announcing on the morning show, Kotb shared a cryptic message on Instagram with the caption, "Choose Hope." Although the media star has been reveling in the joys of being a mother and soaking up every precious moment with her little ones, she once felt unworthy of the role. 

In a February 2023 interview with E! News's Francesca Amiker, Kotb shared a candid moment in her life before adoption. Kotb noted that she would sometimes wonder how she could pull through because there were times "I used to feel almost undeserving of it."

The star relayed that she no longer felt that way because "something happened within me." Kotb relayed that she began leaning towards positivity by telling herself:

"'You know what, I'm worthy of these children; I'm worthy of myself. I'm enough just as I am. I will nurture and love these little girls as long as God lets me have them for as long as I'll be here.'"

Kotb knew she was ready for motherhood when she and her then-partner began discussing the possibility. The TV star once revealed the moment she knew she was ready on the Me Becoming Mom podcast. The veteran journalist recalled being afraid of discussing adoption with her partner. To her complete relief, Schiffman was in tune with the idea and gave her all the support needed. 

During her chat on the podcast, the star mom also revealed the exact moment the thoughts of motherhood struck her. Kotb mentioned that she had been walking with a friend when it happened. She relayed that before that, she was never quite vocal about it because she felt it wouldn't happen. 

However, during the moment with her friend, something changed her. Kotb recalled how her pal mentioned that none of them ever wanted kids. She noted that she immediately refuted it by stating that she wanted kids and repeating it until she became emotional. 

While speaking with Bethenny Frankel, Kotb revealed that once she got past that fear of voicing her motherhood wishes, she kept seeing signs that confirmed that motherhood was still possible. The next move was to go to the adoption agency, where she signed the paperwork. 

Now that she is a few years into motherhood, Kotb revealed that she has moments of anxious reflection. This has to do with her age and the possibility of seeing her daughters get married and build their own families. The anchor relayed that she never gets too engrossed "in the math." 

Kotb noted that she reflects on what could be by checking the difference between her age and her mom's. The Today host stated: "I look at my mom, who's 86, and I think to myself, 'OK, what's the difference here between me and her? Thirty (years). OK, that's kind of good…"

Kotb clarified that she did not picture the age difference with her kids in a negative light but instead focused on how special it would be for her to witness the milestones in their later years. 

Isn't it lovely to see Hoda Kotb live her motherhood dreams with her daughters? Do you wonder about your kids' adulthood milestones? Let us know, and be sure to pass this piece on to others.