Worried about the baby. Hoda Kotb take leave of absence from Today while their 3-year-old daughter Hope was admitted to the ICU.
“Hoda has been very scared for Hope a few weeks ago,” an exclusive source told in the new issue of Us Weekly. “Hoda has dropped everything and focused on being there for the youngest – in the hospital bed – and taking care of whatever she needs. I hope she is doing better now and recovering at home.
The insider added that the broadcast journalist, 58, has the support of her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman – with whom he shares Hope and older daughter Haley, 6, – and coanchor Savannah Guthrie during challenging times.
“Joel is also on her side,” the source said of the financier, who split from Kotb in December 2021 after eight years together. “Savannah [and Hoda] is a great friend on and off camera and Savannah is constantly checking in and seeing how she can help.
Kotb caused concern among fans after his suspension Today starting in February. Anchor replacement Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones explains his presence on March 1, when the Oklahoma native has been off the air for over a week.
“We know many of you are wondering how she is doing. We can tell you that Hoda is fine. She has family health issues that have been dealt with, so we hope to see Hoda and Savannah back at the table for real,” Melvin, 43 , explained during the program.
Joel Schiffman and Hoda Kotb
Kotb returned to the morning talk show on Monday, March 6, and opened up about her daughter’s health scare.
“I’m the youngest [daughter], Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for over a week,” the Emmy winner told Guthrie, 51. “I’m so thankful she’s home. … I’m waiting for that day to come. And we watch them closely. I’m very happy.”
ex Dateline NBC The correspondent also thanked his family and friends who were there for him in the middle of the family crisis.
“When your child is sick, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who help out… I thank the doctors at Weill Cornell who are amazing and the nurses,” she said, getting choked up. “And I’m grateful for my family.”
At This Just Says Me the author then directly directed Guthrie. “I’m thankful for friends like you every day. So, I want to thank you for that. I love you,” he emphasized.
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For more on Kotb’s life with her kids, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue Us Weeklyon newsstands now.