TODAY’s Hoda Kotb has revealed where she’s been after her sudden show absence ahead of her birthday on Wednesday.
The anchor took to Instagram to share a series of photos that gave fans a peek at what she’d been up to.
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She took to Instagram to share some of what she had been up to latelyCredit: Getty Images
It looks like Hoda’s been busy taking some time out for herself ahead of what she has planned for a big birthday celebration.
She’ll be celebrating her 59th birthday tomorrow.
The fan-favorite host was absent from the Today Show and fans had been wondering what she’s been up to.
She came back ready to share at least part of what she’s been doing with new photos.
In one snap, Hoda can be seen with wet hair at a table, surrounded by friends and family.
Her daughters Hope and Haley can be seen peeking at her from the table as well.
Hoda captioned the photo: “@jennabhager thx for the delicious pre-bday meal! My family loved it— and YOU!!”
She also shared a photo of herself watching the Women’s World Cup with her kids over the weekend.
Hoda’s been busy for sure, but she’ll be having more celebrations coming down the line, most likely, for her special day.
HODA ON A SECOND!
Meanwhile, Hoda was replaced on the Today Show on Monday, after her sudden absence.
Craig Melvin filled in for her, as she had an early morning with her daughters the day before.
Craig sat next to Savannah Guthrie on Monday, which is usually occupied by Hoda.
“So happy you’re with us. Hoda’s got the morning off,” Savannah explained at the beginning of the broadcast.
“She’s probably at Simone Biles’ house right now and is like ‘Go Simone!'”
This caused Craig to crack up.
Savannah did not address Craig being there, but instead got straight to the news of the day.
Craig typically joins Savannah and Hoda about 30 minutes into the program.
When one of them is out, Craig will take the co-host spot and Sheinelle Jones will usually join the hosts.
However, on Monday, Sheinelle was absent as well, and Jacob Soboroff became the third host at the desk.
HODA’S LATE NIGHT
Hoda must have been catching up on sleep, as she, her daughters, and a friend stayed up until 5am on Sunday to watch the women’s U.S. soccer team.
The U.S. competed against Sweden and ended with a tied score of zero.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is an international competition and is hosted by Australia and New Zealand this year.
This meant that anyone in the United States had to stay up late to watch the game, due to the time differences.
“We up!!! Go USA!!!! @uswnt,” Hoda captioned her post.
In the post, Hoda was make-up free and smiled for a selfie with her daughters, as the game played in the background.
BOOKED AND BUSY
Before being absent from Today, Hoda announced a major career move on the show.
The 58-year-old got emotional while sharing the news with fans as her upcoming project was inspired by her youngest daughter, Hope.
During Wednesday’s broadcast of Today, Hoda revealed she has a new children’s book coming out.
The picture book, titled Hope is a Rainbow, comes out in March 2024.
Hoda shared: “A few years back, I wrote the book, I’ve Loved You Since Forever, and it was inspired by the birth of my daughter Haley.
“So, I’m bursting because I have a book coming out next March, and it’s inspired by my youngest daughter, Hope.”
She explained that the book is about “really looking for hope all around” yourself.
After showing the bright cover of Hoda’s upcoming release, Savannah Guthrie asked her co-star to tell a bit more about the story and how it came to be.
Hoda said: “It was based on my daughter, who, of course, I had dreamt of her and hoped for her, and her name just fell in.
“And she just reminds me that hope is around every corner. No matter what you go through, no matter what hardship you endure.”
She added that she’d actually written the book before Hope, four, got sick a few months ago, before adding that her daughter’s “on the mend” now.
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In one snap, she showed off a pre-birthday dinner she enjoyed with her daughters and familyCredit: Instagram
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In another, she watched the Women’s World Cup with her daughtersCredit: Getty Images
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Hoda will celebrate her 59th birthday on Wednesday, August 9