Hoda Kotb Makes Surprise Return to Today Less Than 2 Months After Leaving Show

Former Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb surprised Al Roker and more during the NBC morning show’s Feb. 28 broadcast to spice of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans less than two months after her exit.

Hoda Kotb is letting the good times roll.

The former Today cohost made a surprise return to the NBC morning news show less than two months after she bid farewell to her longtime workplace after nearly 17 years.

Hoda appeared during the third hour of the Feb. 28 broadcast to spice things up ahead of the annual Mardi Gras celebrations in The Big Easy.

“Before we go any further,” Al Roker announced while reporting live from the festivities, “I think we’ve got a very special person who knows this city well.”

A video message from Hoda then played, surprising her replacement Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer.

“Hey guys, wait a minute, are you in my city? Without me?” the 60-year-old interrupted. “Okay, Al, Craig, Dylan, you guys, I know what you’re going to do? Eat all the food, yes you will, listen to all the music, yes you will. Enjoy what I believe is the best city on earth. Y’all have so much without me, wah wah, happy Mardi Gras!”

Needless to say, the trio were over the moon to see their former co-worker as Dylan noted that New Orleans is “Hoda’s city.”

Plus, Al recounted fond memories of enjoying the Mardi Gras fun with Hoda in years past.

“I will tell you, about 10 years ago I got to ride with Hoda on a float in the parade,” the longtime weatherman recalled. “It was like riding with the queen of England.”

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Hoda’s love of the Crescent City goes back years.

“It’s the closest to a hometown I’ve ever felt,” the mom of daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, told Southern Living in June 2024. “There’s a magnetism about New Orleans that grabs you right out the gate.”

She also publicly mourned the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street last month before her Jan. 10 send-off, telling viewers live on air, “New Orleans is my second home and my heart broke this morning.”

Keep reading for a closer look at Hoda’s sweetest family moments with her daughters.

Instagram/Hoda Kotb

School Drop Off

Hoda celebrates her first free morning After leaving Today by personally dropping daughters Hope and Joy off at school.

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Mommy Duty

“School drop!!! Let’s goooo!” the longtime NBC anchor captioned her Jan. 13, 2025 Instagram.

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Halloween 2024

After announcing she’s leaving Today, Hoda celebrates her first Halloween in the New York suburbs with her kids.

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Cheer-Worthy

Haley and Hope match in cheerleader costumes.

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Mother’s Day Surprise

Hoda got emotional as Haley and Hope surprised her with an early Mother’s Day gift.

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Birthday Celebrations

Joined by her siblings Hala and Adel, nieces Hannah and Ella, mom Sami, daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine and fiancé Joel Schiffman, Hoda Kotb described the celebration as “my kinda birthday.”

I <3 NY

Hoda enjoys a day with her daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine around New York City together.

Queens of Halloween

Another Halloween in the books! Hoda and her first daughter spend their another Halloween together as their Sesame Street alter egos.

Family Forever

The Today show momma spends time with her own mom (and Haley’s grandma!) in this cute group shot on Halloween 2019.

Party Time

The host shared this pic of her and her little one at a Sesame Street party in Oct. 2019.

Suns Out, Funs Out

The daytime talk show host spends a day splashing around the beach in Aug. 2019.

Gift for Mama

Haley Joy looks cute as a button celebrating her mom’s 55th birthday this past August.

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Sweet Sister

“Look who is feeding Hope!” Kotb wrote on her Instagram in May 2019, showing off Haley feeding her newborn Hope.

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Friends for Life

Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda’s close friend and long-time former co-host at Today, met Hope in early May and they were all smiles all day.

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A Full House

In April, the 55-year-old host shared a photo of her full family for the first time on Instagram writing, “This is us xo.”

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Welcome Hope Catherine!

It’s a girl! Hoda introduced Hope to the world after surprising her Today show family on-air revealing that she had secretly adopted her second child.

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