HODA Kotb has opened up about how her cancer diagnosis has affected her ability to have children.
The Today anchor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
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Hoda Kotb recently opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis on her podcastCredit: Today
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Hoda Kotb on Today while singer Kacey Musgraves performs in New York CityCredit: Getty
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Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on a recent episode on TodayCredit: NBC
Hoda opened up about her past health issues as the TV personality hit a major milestone as she turned 60 on August 9.
The US daytime TV host shared her cancer journey on her podcast Making Space.
“I do remember that even the doctor said to me then, you know, one of the sort of side effects, especially at your age, which was in my 40s, early 40s, is you won’t be able to have children,” she said.
“And I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ So this thing not only put limits on my life, but killed a dream.”
‘IT MADE ME FREE’
Hoda went on to explain that she was at a low point in her life at the time and what she said to herself to help her feel better.
“I remember waking up one morning and saying to myself — it was like a lightning bolt — and it was like, I remember those four words,” she said.
“It was, you can’t scare me because the worst had happened.
“So now what? Now what am I afraid of? And so not being afraid released me. It made me free, it was amazing.
“Asking for what you deserve is something that you should be able to do without worrying about, ‘Well I’m doing this because maybe I won’t live that long’
“We shouldn’t have to have that in order to propel us to ask for what we deserve.”
Hoda Kotb breaks down in tears and cries ‘it’s too much!’ after Today co-hosts throw 60th birthday surprise live on air
MOM OF TWO
In 2013, Hoda and her then-boyfriend Joel Schiffman adopted their first child, Haley.
The former couple adopted their second daughter, Hope in 2019.
That same year, Hoda and Joel revealed that they were engaged.
However, they announced their engagement was off in 2022.
TODAY Show hosts
The TODAY Show is an American television program airing on NBC at 7am. The broadcast discusses domestic and international news, as well as weather reports. The weekday and weekend hosts include:
Hoda Kotb
Al Roker
Savannah Guthrie
Craig Melvin
Jenna Bush Hager
Carson Daly
Sheinelle Jones
Dylan Dreyer
Peter Alexander
Kristen Welker
Willie Geist
HER JOURNEY
During her cancer journey, Hoda openly discussed her experiences on Today.
Earlier in her podcast, she talked about when she first got her diagnosis and what was going through her head.
“When I got sick, I remember it so clearly because I was thinking to myself, like, ‘How do I have breast cancer?’ and ”why do I need a mastectomy?’
“I worried that everyone who had cancer died of cancer. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, well, I have it now. So is that what that means?’ Hoda said.
Since her mastectomy, Hoda has been cancer-free.
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Hoda Kotb with her two children Haley and HopeCredit: Instagram/Hoda Kotb
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Hoda Kotb recently celebrated her 60th birthday on August 9Credit: NBC
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Today Show host Hoda Kotb and her two daughters Hope and HaleyCredit: Instagram/hodakotb
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Hoda Kotb on a recent episode of The Today ShowCredit: Getty
