These days, Kotb and her former partner, Schiffman, are nurturing and expanding their family, having adopted a daughter named Hope Catherine in 2019, who is now 4 years old. She joins her 6-year-old sister Joy, whom they adopted in 2017.
Reflecting on the issue of female celebrities and personalities facing body-shaming on social media and being held to certain beauty standards, Kotb shared a profound realization about a distressing handwritten letter she received at her own home.
“I opened the letter and it was something along the lines of, ‘How dare you bring a child into this world at your age? Don’t you know what you’re doing to that child?’ Like, it went on and on,” she recounted in an interview.
According to Kotb, the letter and the emotions it stirred within her “took” her breath away.
“I was scared. Like, is this something that is smart for me to do? Am I helping or am I going to ultimately be harming? Like, I’ve thought about that,” she continued.
The letter prompted Kotb to reflect on the loss of her father back in 1981.
“I remember thinking, we have our parents for a period of time. I know the foundation he left. I know it was worth every second of that time. So I thought about that too. It can hit you in a place where you’re the most vulnerable.”
Following this revelation, Kotb received an outpouring of supportive and affirming messages online.
“I am so very sorry you experienced that Hoda! Your girls are so very blessed to have you as their mom. Don’t ever doubt that,” one user commented.
“Having a parent who lives and cares for them is what matters. No one’s business her or anyone’s age,” another shared