Hoda Kotb opens up about her daughter Hope's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and how it played a role in her decision to step away from her position at Today.
Yes, Hoda Kotb recently opened up about her daughter Hope’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, revealing that it played a significant role in her decision to leave the Today show. Hope, now six years old, was diagnosed in 2023 after experiencing flu-like symptoms that led to hospitalization. Since then, Kotb has been closely monitoring her daughter’s condition, ensuring she receives the necessary care and support.
“Hope is fine for most of the day. There are just moments where you have to watch her," On May 28, Hoda disclosed to former cohosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. "I was totaling it up—five minutes at breakfast, five minutes at lunch, five minutes at dinner, sometimes overnight. Add that up, that's a half-hour.”
“So, for 23 and a half hours,” She went on to say. “She's every other kid. So, I try to remember that."
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Hoda, who is also the mother of her 8-year-old daughter Hayley with her ex-husband Joel Schiffman, revealed that Hope's Type 1 diabetes changed the way she views her daily life and how she helps her cope with her new condition.
Kotb shared that managing Hope’s diabetes requires constant attention, including blood sugar monitoring and insulin injections. Despite the challenges, she emphasized that diabetes is only a part of Hope’s life and does not define her. The diagnosis prompted Kotb to reassess her priorities, leading her to step away from her long-time role at Today to be more present for her daughters.
"You just get a priority check in your life," Hoda clarified. "I can be here and sweating what’s happening to Hope in the morning and in the night, or I can be there and feel relief that I can see."
Hoda took a few weeks off from Today in 2023 due to a medical issue that sent Hope to the intensive care unit. The author of Hope is A Rainbow said that they were in an area where "Hope is thriving" a year later.
However, Hoda recalled the initial days following her daughter's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, when the symptoms appeared to be the flu and they were unaware of her exact prognosis until they got to the hospital.
"And you get there, and you realize that it's not that at all,” In a May 28 interview, Hoda shared with Today. “And it took us going to the hospital to figure it out.”
Hoda explained that her daughter's health was a major factor in her decision to take a leave of absence Today after 17 years, stating that keeping an eye on her from a distance became a "distraction."
"As anyone with a child who has Type 1 knows, especially a little kid, you're constantly watching, you're constantly monitoring, you're constantly checking,” She clarified. “Which is what I did all the time when I was at Today. You’re distracted."
Hoda Kotb made a heartwarming return to Today, catching up with her former colleagues and sharing details about her new venture, Joy 101. This wellness brand is designed to bring joy and mindfulness into people’s lives through an app, live events, and expert-led courses.
She described Joy 101 as a “retreat in your pocket,” offering meditation, breathwork, sleep support, and personal growth tools. The project is deeply personal to her, inspired by her own wellness journey and the transformative experiences she’s had with practices like breathwork and meditation.
It’s great to see her embracing this new chapter while continuing to spread positivity!
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