TODAY’S Jenna Bush Hager gives an emotional greeting to her co-host on the latest episode of the morning show.
Jenna got choked up during Monday’s broadcast as she welcomed her Today co-star Hoda Kotb back after her “rough two weeks” of dealing with family issues.
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Today’s Jenna Bush Hager gets choked up as she welcomed Hoda Kotb backCredit: Twitter/@HodaAndJenna
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Hoda was absent from the show for two weeks because her daughter was sickCredit: Twitter/@HodaAndJenna
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The 59-year-old admitted that the last couple of weeks were ‘rough’Credit: Instagram/Hoda Kotb
As soon as Jenna and Hoda sat down together at their flower-filled Today With Hoda & Jenna table, the 41-year-old began pouring her heart out to the 59-year-old.
Jenna’s emotive spiel was ignited when Hoda passed the TV star the “usual” mint she ate at the beginning of each show.
The adoptive mom of two remembering Jenna’s mint habit resulted in the mom of three baring her soul to her co-anchor and friend live on-air.
“I didn’t eat a mint for a long time because I was missing you,” Jenna told Hoda with a shaky voice.
“…You know…the people in your life that you just love with everything, they make your life full? That’s you for me.
“I missed you so much [and] I know that everybody watching missed you…
“I know that you’ve had a rough two weeks.”
Hoda then revealed in detail just how “rough” the last two weeks had been for her and her family.
‘SO GRATEFUL’
Hoda told viewers: “My youngest daughter Hope was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week and I’m so grateful she’s home.”
“She is back home and I’ve been waiting for that day to come and we are watching her closely.”
“I realize when your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people for who helped you out…” Hoda continued.
“I’m grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell who are amazing and the nurses and I’m grateful to my family and friends like you who were there every single day.”
Monday was also Savannah Guthrie’s, 51, first day back at the anchor seat since leaving early last week after testing positive for COVID.
MISSING HODA
On Friday, Hoda’s NBC colleague Al Roker, 68, told Page Six that the fan-favorite TV personality was “doing fine.”
The meteorologist continued: “She’s going to be just fine. She’s dealing with what she’s gotta deal with and all will be good.”
This isn’t the first time an anchor has referenced Hoda’s swift and unexplained disappearance from the show.
On Wednesday’s show, Craig Melvin, 43, briefly explained Hoda’s absence: “Many of you have been asking about Hoda. Hoda is okay. She has a family health matter she’s been dealing with.”
At the time he did not offer additional details regarding his co-host’s whereabouts or future plans.
Hours later, photos captured Hoda looking solemn while picking up her six-year-old daughter, Haley Joy, from school.
In the absence of an explanation, fans created theories of their own.
Hoda appeared on Friday’s morning show episode in a pre-taped clip on the broadcast.
In the segment narrated by co-anchor Sheinelle Jones, 44, Hoda sat down with actress Olivia Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, and daughter Chloe to discuss how they’re moving on since the late star’s death in August 2022.
Hoda donned a white shirt and a bright blue blazer for the interview, with her shoulder-length brown locks flowing down.
She looked emotional in the video while talking about the singer’s legacy with her family.
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During Monday’s episode Jenna revealed that she ‘missed’ HodaCredit: Twitter/@HodaAndJenna
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Jenna also told Hoda that she ‘loved’ her ‘with everything’Credit: Twitter/@HodaAndJenna
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Hoda is a fan favorite on Today and many fans missed her during her hiatus
