Hoda Kotb’s lengthy ‘Today’ show absence caused by ‘family health matter’
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The “Today” show revealed on Wednesday that Hoda Kotb has been absent from her post for more than a week because of a “family health matter.”
The journalist’s colleague Craig Melvin explained, “We can tell you that Hoda has a family health matter that she’s been dealing with.
“We look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah [Guthrie] back on the desk,” he continued, referencing Guthrie’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Kotb has yet to address the situation.
Thousands of fans have expressed their concern for the 58-year-old following her absence from the “Today” show and “Today With Hoda and Jenna” since Feb. 17.
Her “Today” channel podcast “Making Space” — which typically releases episodes every Monday morning — has also not released a new episode since Feb. 20.
Kotb’s Instagram page also had her 2.2 million followers spiraling after her page transitioned from posts about her family and her job to inspirational quotes.
“Choose hope,” a graphic from Monday morning read, while another said, “Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.”
She also shared four other statements about being “brave” and “strong,” amid “dark clouds.”
Hundreds of fans commented on each post wishing her well and saying how much they missed her presence on the NBC morning shows.
In the midst of Kotb’s absence, her “Today” show co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie, had to unexpectedly flee the set mid-broadcast on Tuesday morning.
Guthrie started hosting the morning show at 7 a.m. but didn’t return after a commercial break half an hour later.
Sheinelle Jones — who originally co-hosts “Today 3rd Hour” but was filling in for Kotb — then revealed that Guthrie, 51, was “rushed home” after testing positive for COVID-19.
“Savannah, we love you. Wishing you a speedy recovery,” Jones, 44, said.
NBC has not publicly shared when Guthrie will be able to come back nor who will take both her and Kotb’s main slots on the “Today” show.
“World News Tonight” anchor Tom Llamas, “Today 3rd Hour” co-hosts Craig Melvin and Carson Daly and “Today” show regular Al Roker have all been helping out on the “Today” show.
Willie Geist and Jones have both filled in for Kotb over the last week alongside Jenna Bush Hager.
Kotb is the mother of two daughters – Haley Joy, 5, and Hope Catherine, 3 — whom she co-parents with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman.
Despite the two calling off their engagement in December 2021, she gushed to People about having created a “healthy mix” with the “great dad” in August of the following year.
“He’ll have a Saturday, and I’ll do the Sunday. We switch each week,” she explained at the time. “He’ll take the girls and do some fun things, and I’ll take some quiet time.”
As for how the little ones handled the transition, Kotb said, “They love it.”
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