Hoda Kotb Daughters: What Really Happened Since She Left Today

It was the morning that changed everything. On September 26, 2024, Hoda Kotb sat on the Today show couch and dropped a bombshell that nobody—not even the loyal fans who had watched her for decades—saw coming. She was leaving. After 17 years.

Why? Because of two little girls.

If you’ve followed Hoda’s journey, you know it hasn't been a straight line. It's been more like a series of unexpected, beautiful detours. At 61, Hoda is living a life she once thought was impossible. She’s a mom to two vibrant daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, and she’s finally putting them first in a way that’s brutally honest and relatable.

The Reality of Raising Haley and Hope in 2026

Life looks a lot different for the Kotb household these days. Gone are the 3:00 a.m. alarms. Instead, Hoda is navigating the suburban rhythm of Westchester, New York. Honestly, it's the "normal" stuff that seems to excite her the most now.

Haley Joy Kotb, now 9 years old, was the one who started it all. Hoda adopted her back in 2017 when she was 52. Think about that for a second. While most people are eyeing retirement, Hoda was changing diapers. She named her after Halley’s Comet because, as she put it, she’s a "once-in-a-blue-moon" kind of kid.

Then there’s Hope Catherine Kotb, who is 6. She joined the family in 2019.

But it hasn't been all sunshine and Instagram-worthy moments.

Why the "Time Pie" Matters

Hoda famously talked about her "time pie." It's a concept that hits home for anyone trying to balance a career and a soul. She realized her kids deserved a bigger slice. In early 2023, things got scary. Hope ended up in the ICU for a medical crisis that Hoda kept mostly private for a long time.

Later, we learned that Hope lives with Type 1 diabetes.

It’s constant care. Monitoring 24/7. Finger pricks. Shots. It’s the kind of stuff that makes a high-pressure morning show job feel insignificant. Hoda realized she couldn't be 100% at the studio and 100% for Hope. Something had to give.

The Move to Westchester and the "Soft Re-entry"

Moving from Manhattan to a $2.9 million home in Bronxville wasn't just about more square footage. It was about sanity. Hoda wanted the girls to have a "warm and cozy" sanctuary.

You've probably seen the photos of her walking them to school. It sounds simple, right? But for Hoda, it was a dream. For years, she was already under the bright lights of Studio 1A by the time the school bell rang. Now, she's the one making sure backpacks are zipped and shoes are on (even if she still has to yell "shoes off!" every now and then).

• Haley's Vibe: She’s the performer. She plays field hockey, makes bracelets, and recently sang "What a Wonderful World" for her class at 9:15 a.m.—an event Hoda actually got to witness in person for once.
• Hope's Spirit: Despite the health hurdles, Hoda describes her as "intertwined" with Haley. They hold hands. They don't let go.

Co-parenting with Joel Schiffman

People always ask: what about Joel?

Hoda and her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, called off their engagement in 2022, but they are still a unit when it comes to the girls. They do "Funday Sundays" together. They co-parent as friends. Hoda has been very vocal about the fact that without Joel, she might have been too afraid to start the adoption journey in her 50s.

It's refreshing. No drama. Just two people trying to raise good humans.

Reinvention is the New Routine

Since officially signing off in January 2025, Hoda hasn't just disappeared. She launched her wellness company, Joy 101, and a podcast called Making Space. She even has a new project called Joy Rides where she interviews friends like Savannah Guthrie while driving them to work.

But the real work happens in the quiet moments.

She uses a journal every morning with four prompts: Body, Intellect, Emotion, and Spirit. She's teaching her daughters that "thoughts become things." If you think you're going to fall off your bike, you probably will. If you think you're going to stand up, watch what happens. It’s a level of wisdom she admits she didn't have in her 30s or 40s.

What Most People Get Wrong About Hoda's Exit

A lot of critics thought she was "quitting" or giving up.

Actually, she was choosing.

She recognized that her broadcast career had been beyond meaningful, but her daughters and her mom needed her more. It wasn't a retreat; it was an evolution. She’s still part of the NBC family—appearing at the Olympics and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—but she’s no longer a slave to the 3:00 a.m. clock.

Actionable Takeaways from Hoda’s Journey

Hoda’s story isn't just celebrity gossip. It’s a blueprint for anyone feeling stuck.

1. Check your time pie. If the slice labeled "career" is eating the rest of the plate, it might be time to pick up a different knife.
2. It’s never too late. Starting a family at 52? Moving to the suburbs at 60? Life doesn't have an expiration date on new chapters.
3. Be honest about the struggle. Hoda didn't pretend Hope’s health issues were easy. She didn't pretend the move was seamless. Authenticity is what keeps her connected to her audience.
4. Embrace the "soft re-entry." Whether it’s after a holiday or a major life change, you don't have to fix everything at once. One step at a time is enough.

Hoda Kotb is proving that the best part of life often happens in the "stuff in between." The walks to school. The bedtime songs (Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection" is their go-to). The quiet breaths together.

For Haley and Hope, Hoda isn't a TV legend. She's just Mom. And that’s exactly the role she worked so hard to get.

🔗 Read more: Where Is Rob Ford Now? The Truth About the Mayor Who Never Really Left

Next Steps for Your Own Journey:
If you're feeling the same "ache" Hoda described before she adopted, start by saying it out loud. Whether it's a career change or a personal goal, Hoda’s mantra is simple: Thoughts become things. Write down what your Spirit needs today and take one tiny, "tiptoe" step toward it.