Fans show support as Hoda Kotb reveals daughter Hope, 6, needs constant monitoring due to Type 1 diabetes

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hoda Kotb opened up about her younger daughter, Hope Catherine, and disclosed that the six-year-old has Type 1 diabetes.

During the May 28 episode of the ‘Today’ show, she spoke about her decision to leave the show and launch her new wellness brand, Joy 101, and mentioned that Hope's condition "definitely weighed in." 

The 60-year-old former broadcaster, who is also mother of Haley Joy, eight, told 'Today' co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, “As anyone with a child who has Type 1 (knows), especially a little kid, you're constantly watching, you're constantly monitoring, you're constantly checking, which is what I did all the time when I was (at 'Today'). You’re distracted.”

Hoda Kotb says there are moments when she needs to keep an eye on Hope

Hoda Kotb further shared, “You just get a priority check in your life. I can be here and sweating what’s happening to Hope in the morning and in the night, or I can be there and feel relief that I can see.”

Her last day on the show as a co-host was in January. She served as a 'Today' co-host for seven years and worked at NBC News for nearly three decades. 

Giving an update on her life, Kotb said, “Hope is fine for most of the day. There are just moments where you have to watch her.”

She explained, “I was totaling it up — five minutes at breakfast, five minutes at lunch, five minutes at dinner, sometimes overnight. Add that up, that's a half-hour,” before asserting, “So for 23 and a half hours, she's every other kid.”

Hoda Kotb does not want people to look at her daughter ‘differently’

Hoda Kotb’s daughter began facing health issues two years ago, resulting in her being away from 'Today' for two weeks.

At the time, Melvin had said, “As for Hoda, we know some of you are wondering how she’s doing. We can tell you, Hoda’s OK. She’s got a family health matter she’s been dealing with.”

A year later, Kotb gave an interview to People, where she shared, “We had a scary stretch. Any parent who’s been through a scary thing with their child understands. It’s like you just can’t believe that your child’s sick. You can’t believe that there’s nothing you can do.”

“It’s really tricky, because I don’t want Hope to get labeled. She’s a kid who is so vibrant, and most days everything is totally fine. I don’t want people to look at her differently,” she had added in March 2024.

Hoda Kotb advises parents not to ‘put your worry on your kid’

Hoda Kotb also stated at the time that she’s not “going to put my worry on her. It’s too much for a kid to carry.”

Kotb reiterated the advice during her 'Today' interview, saying, “Don't put your worry on your kid. Watch them, but don't put your worry on them. Let them be kids and give them what they need when they need it.”

Fans show support as Hoda Kotb reveals her daughter Hope’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis

Meanwhile, 'Today' viewers took to social media to show support for Hoda Kotb and Hope after the 60-year-old opened up about her daughter's diagnosis. 

One wrote on X, “As someone who has had T1D for 41 years, Hope has an amazing future ahead of her with endless possibilities. Hoda, thank you for sharing. I wish ALL of the best for Hope and you and your beautiful family.  🙏🏻”

Another shared, “I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope you get it regulated and she’s able to manage it fairly easily.”

“It's hard but my T1D daughter just graduated college and is going to be a nurse. They can be regular kids and successful adults,” an individual commented on Facebook.

“This hit home this morning as I was sitting and crying watching. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago, and I’m constantly doing the same thing. You never get to rest. You’re up all night sometimes, you’re watching while at school, although he has the best school nurse," another Facebook user wrote. 

They added, "You plan for events hours before just to make sure things are successful for him. Sports are so hard but you want them to feel just like any other kid. You pack an absurd amount of supplies when you leave the house, not to mention when you go on vacation. I totally understand the need to be home to be there for her sweet girl."

“Welcome to the club that no one wants to join! Our T1D kiddos are absolute warriors. Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t like to play by the rules, and we mamas are constantly monitoring and making decisions to make sure our warriors stay healthy and safe. Our T1D’s are pretty amazing, but their caregivers are too!” read another comment. 

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