Beloved Today host Hoda Kotb opened up about one of the most personal moments of her life — the day her 8-year-old daughter, Haley, discovered that her mother had once battled breast cancer. During her heartfelt conversation with Jenna Bush Hager on the Open Book podcast, Hoda revealed that the moment came unexpectedly — through the pages of her own newly released book, Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life.
“I saw Haley reading my book, and she suddenly looked up and said, ‘You had breast cancer?!’” Hoda recalled. “I just froze and thought, ‘Oh my God.’” What started as a shocking revelation for Haley turned into a powerful opportunity for mother and daughter to connect on a deeper level.
Kotb, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and underwent a mastectomy, said she has been cancer-free ever since. Still, she admitted that she had never talked openly with her daughters — Haley, 8, and Hope, 6 — about that chapter of her life. But Haley’s discovery sparked a new kind of conversation, one rooted in honesty and emotional growth.
“The fact is, I think we’re knowing each other as people — not just as mom or kid,” Hoda told Jenna. She described the moment as a turning point in her parenting journey, helping her to build more authentic communication with her children. “You can sit and have a real conversation with your child,” she said. “It made space in me. Sometimes life gets so crowded that we forget to make those tiny pockets for real connection.”
The Today veteran also shared that this new openness with her daughters mirrors her broader outlook on life — one shaped by resilience, gratitude, and perspective. Her recent experiences, including reconnecting with colleagues like Sheinelle Jones — who recently returned to Today after losing her husband to brain cancer — have deepened Hoda’s sense of empathy and purpose.
“Sheinelle’s strength has touched so many people,” Hoda reflected. “You don’t have to make an effort to inspire others — just be who you are.”
Kotb’s story is one of survival, motherhood, and rediscovery. Nearly two decades after her diagnosis, she’s using her platform — and her words — to remind others that vulnerability can be a source of strength. Her daughters’ curiosity reminded her of something she had once told herself at her lowest point: that life after cancer could still be filled with joy, laughter, and love.
As Hoda continues to share her story, she’s proving that healing isn’t just physical — it’s generational. Through her openness, she’s teaching her daughters what true courage looks like: facing the past, embracing the present, and finding joy in every season of life.
