Hoda Kotb Shocks Fans with Surprise Return to Today Show After Quick Exit!

Hoda Kotb is letting the good times roll.

In an unexpected turn of events, I graced the screens once more on the NBC morning news show, barely two months since I said my heartfelt goodbyes to a workplace that had been my second home for almost 17 years.

On February 28th, during the third hour of the live broadcast, Hoda made an appearance to add some excitement before the yearly Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans were set to begin.

Before proceeding any longer, Al Roker shared during his live broadcast, it seems we have a particularly special individual who is quite familiar with this city.

A video message from Hoda then played, surprising her replacement Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer.

Hey everyone, hang on a moment, is it my hometown you’re visiting without me? The older gentleman interjected. “Alright, Al, Craig, Dylan, I’ve got a feeling about what you’re up to. You’ll be scarfing down all the local cuisine, that much is certain. And you’ll be grooving to every beat of this city’s music. This place, in my opinion, is unparalleled. Seems like you’re having a blast without me, sad trombone, but Happy Mardi Gras!

It’s no surprise that the trio were thrilled to see their old colleague, as Dylan pointed out that New Orleans holds a special place for Hoda.

Plus, Al recounted fond memories of enjoying the Mardi Gras fun with Hoda in years past.

10 years back, I had the unforgettable experience of hopping aboard a float alongside Hoda, right in a parade! It felt just as surreal as riding with Queen Elizabeth herself.

Hoda’s love of the Crescent City goes back years.

In June 2024, the mother expressed to Southern Living that New Orleans feels like the closest thing to a hometown she’s ever known. She described it as having an irresistible allure that captivates from the very beginning.

She also publicly mourned the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street last month before her Jan. 10 send-off, telling viewers live on air, 

Keep reading for a closer look at Hoda’s sweetest family moments with her daughters.

She also publicly mourned the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street last month before her Jan. 10 send-off, telling viewers live on air, “New Orleans is my second home and my heart broke this morning.” 

Keep reading for a closer look at Hoda’s sweetest family moments with her daughters.

On the first morning without her usual morning show duties, Hoda enjoys a personal milestone as she takes her daughters Hope and Joy to school herself.

“School drop!!! Let’s goooo!” the longtime NBC anchor captioned her Jan. 13, 2025 Instagram.

Following her announcement that she is departing from Today, Hoda enjoys her initial Halloween in the New York suburbs with her children.

Haley and Hope match in cheerleader costumes.

Hoda got emotional as Haley and Hope surprised her with an early Mother’s Day gift.

Hoda Kotb celebrated her birthday with her sister Hala, brother Adel, nieces Hannah and Ella, mother Sami, daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, and fiancé Joel Schiffman by her side. She referred to this gathering as a “typical” or “my kind of birthday.

Hoda enjoys a day with her daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine around New York City together.

This year’s Halloween has come and gone! Hoda and her eldest child enjoyed celebrating it together, each dressing up as their characters from Sesame Street.

On Halloween 2019, the hostess of Today’s program is seen enjoying quality time with her mother and Haley’s grandmother in a heartwarming group photograph.

The host shared this pic of her and her little one at a Sesame Street party in Oct. 2019.

The daytime talk show host spends a day splashing around the beach in Aug. 2019.

Haley Joy looks cute as a button celebrating her mom’s 55th birthday this past August.

In a post on Instagram dated May 2019, Kotb captioned a photo of Haley feeding her baby girl, Hope.

Kathie Lee Gifford, a long-standing collaborator and dear friend of Hoda, encountered Hope in the early days of May, and their faces remained beaming with joy throughout the day.

Last month, I, a 55-year-old host, took to Instagram for the very first time to share a picture of my entire family. The caption read, “Here we are, with love xo.

Hoda announced to the “Today” show audience that she had privately welcomed a daughter, whom she named Hope, as a surprise.

On Valentine’s Day, the TV host marked Haley’s second birthday on Instagram with a heartfelt message expressing, “Today is overflowing with love.

The beaming TV personality spent Christmas with her mother, sister and daughter.

Haley celebrated her second Halloween by twinning with her mom in matching bee costumes.

In August of 2018, the mother-daughter duo spent an autumn day together picking apples.

“I can’t believe I get to do this .. #grateful” she wrote on her 54th birthday.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: Today, just like many others, I found myself beaming with joy, posing alongside my adorable one-year-old bundle of love, Haley. She was dressed in a sweet t-shirt that read “mama,” and the sight brought an extra sparkle to my Mother’s Day celebration.

At the crack of dawn, taking pictures before sunrise was an enjoyable experience for the joyful mom, as she playfully shared a sweet Instagram selfie on Mother’s Day morning.

In March 2018, the native of Oklahoma commemorated Joel Schiffman’s 60th birthday by celebrating with their daughter and a homemade cake they had made themselves.

The TV host exclaimed “Home sweet home!!!” on Instagram, having just returned from a two-week stint covering the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

As I prepared to jet off to the vibrant city of Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics, I took a moment to unwind and enjoy some quality time with my cherished companion and my trusty USA beanie.

On the 14th of January, Hoda and her enthusiastic sports supporter rooted for the New Orleans Saints as they faced off against the Minnesota Vikings, shouting their encouragement!

The journalist exclaimed on their Christmas selfie, “We’re all set, Santa!” It featured her, her mother, partner, and little one.

On November 23, Hoda appeared alongside her partner and their little daughter in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

On her initial Halloween, Haley donned a charming rabbit outfit while she reveled in trick-or-treating, being pushed in a stroller by her mother and her mother’s significant other.

Read More

2025-02-28 22:18