Hoda Kotb and her daughter with Kermit the Frog. Photo:
NBC
Hoda Kotb’s daughters joined their mom for a special surprise as the journalist rounded out her last Today broadcast.
Kotb’s daughters Hope, 5, and Haley, 7, came out on air as they joined their mom for her final broadcast as a journalist for Today. Toward the end of the 8 a.m. hour, the family of three sat together in the studio while Kermit the Frog came out, serenading them by singing “Rainbow Connection,” which is also the song Kotb sings to her daughters every night before bed.
As she listened to the song, Kotb got emotional, mouthing, “Oh my God.” At the end, all the Today anchors joined in to help sing the iconic tune.
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Hoda Kotb with her daughters Hope and Haley, as well as Kermit the Frog. NBC
Hope and Haley were also seen outside with their mom at the end of the 8 a.m. hour, standing on the Plaza as Kotb shared her final goodbye.
On Christmas this year, Kotb shared a series of photos on Instagram, offering a glimpse of her holiday celebrations with her two daughters, as well as ex Joel Schiffman, in her new house in New York’s Westchester County.
In the first photo, Kotb got a sweet kiss on the cheek from Haley in front of the Christmas tree as she snapped a selfie with both of her girls. She also included a photo of her mom and sister, wearing matching pajamas with her daughters.
A third photo showed Kotb and Schiffman with their two daughters, posing together in the living room. “Merry Christmas🎄🎄,” Kotb wrote in her caption.
Earlier that month, Kotb got a visit from her older daughter Haley as she brought her entire second-grade class to a taping of Today.
As they broadcasted outside, Savannah Guthrie turned to Hoda Kotb and said, “Lots to get through but Hoda, I see some of our favorite second graders on the plaza.”
Hoda Kotb and her two daughters. Hoda Kotb/Instagram
“We just want to say hi! Miss Rutherford’s class is here. I’ve got Haley and all of her classmates. Hi guys!” Kotb exclaimed. “Are you guys freezing cold but you’re having fun?”
“Yeah!” the class responded.
“You’re going to see more of them, they’re going to come on our show at 10,” Kotb said. “We’ve got the principal and vice principal — we’ve got the whole crew! Best field trip ever.”
During Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb and co-host Jenna Bush Hager were joined by Haley’s class, who waved hello as the episode started.
“Take a look at these lovely faces! Do you see them? This is my daughter’s second-grade class and this is Miss Rutherford in the house!” Kotb said.
