Hoda Kotb Returns to ‘Today’ After Absence, Tearfully Details 3-Year-Old Daughter’s ICU Stay

usmagazine.com:

A tearful return. Hoda Kotb got emotional while discussing the reason for her Today absence as she rejoined the show on Monday, March 6.The 58-year-old journalist appeared on the NBC morning show for the first time in two weeks and filled in viewers on the personal matter that kept her off the air. “My youngest [daughter], Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week,” Kotb told cohost Savannah Guthrie. “I’m so grateful she’s home. … I was waiting for that day to come.

And we are watching her closely. I’m just so happy.”Kotb reflected on the care her 3-year-old received, getting choked up as she expressed her thanks to the medical experts who helped. “You know what I realized, too, Savannah?

When your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who helped you out … I’m grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell who were amazing and the nurses,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. “And I’m grateful to my family.”The Emmy winner went on to address Guthrie, 51, adding: “I’m grateful to friends like you who were there every single day.

So, I want to say thank you for that. I love you.”Before making her return on Monday, the Oklahoma native shared an inspiring message with her Instagram followers. “Happy monday xo,” she captioned a quote from Christopher Reeve which read, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”Kotb last appeared live on the Today show on February 17.