Hoda Kotb breaks silence on daughter Hope’s debilitating health condition!

In a heartfelt and deeply personal revelation, beloved journalist and television personality Hoda Kotb has spoken out for the first time about her younger daughter Hope’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes. The 60‑year‑old former Today Show anchor shared her emotions, experiences and ambitions in a wave‑breaking conversation that resonates far beyond celebrity headlines—highlighting what it means to navigate motherhood, health care, and career in today’s world.

A Terrifying Turn in February 2023

Kotb’s journey began with a medical emergency nearly two years ago. In February 2023, six‑year‑old Hope experienced puzzling flu‑like symptoms that swiftly escalated. Kotb, who has two adopted daughters—eight‑year‑old Haley Joy and Hope—described the moment she knew something was seriously wrong:

“It looked like she had the flu, and we literally had to race to the hospital,” Hoda recalled . After two weeks in the hospital, including several days in the ICU, Hope was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition preventing her pancreas from producing insulin .

“Constant Care”—Motherhood Redefined

The diagnosis brought about an overnight transformation of life at home: glucose meters, insulin injections, midnight glucose checks. Kotb described what it’s like in her household:

Four to five daily insulin shots, initially.

24/7 blood‑sugar monitoring to prevent dangerous highs or lows.

Nighttime vigilance, because diabetes doesn’t take weekends or holidays .

“It’s kind of constant care for Hope,” Hoda told People. “We’re monitoring her 24/7. She was getting shots—four or five a day—for a year. Now she is getting them less frequently because we have some other means to get her what she needs… there’s a lot to it” .

Despite the intensity of caregiving, Kotb emphasized her daughter’s courage:
“She is a happy, healthy, rambunctious, amazing kid”—a “trouper” who “shapes her but never defines her” .

A Life‑Altering Career Decision

Before the diagnosis, Kotb had been rising at NBC’s Today Show for 17 years. But the demands of early‑morning reporting—alarm clocks at 3:15 a.m. and a hectic schedule—became incompatible with her new reality .

Kotb revealed that Hope’s condition “definitely weighed in” when she decided to step down from her role in January 2025 .

She explained:

“I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her… whenever she needs anything, and it can happen at night, multiple times, I’m up—I’m up up up” 2.

Rather than see her departure as a sacrifice, Kotb reframed it as a conscious reevaluation of priorities—a “priority check.” She said:

“I can be here sweating what’s happening to Hope… or I can be there and feel relief that I can see” .

Balancing Two Daughters: Emotions and Equity

Being at home full-time brought joys—and challenges. While Hope’s needs are immediate and visible, Kotb also worries about older sister Haley feeling overshadowed. She shares:

“I think anybody who has one child who has immediate needs… sometimes you have to really work on it [to emotionally support the other]… I just need to make sure that Haley feels seen and loved. I keep telling them my heart’s ability to expand is beyond measure” .

She laughs about the playful sibling rivalry: “They squabble over who Mom loves most,” but affirms that her love is vast and inclusive.

Redefining Normal—and Thriving

With stability finally unfolding, Kotb has taken steps to ground her family in a nurturing environment. The girls moved from New York City to a calmer Westchester suburb to have room to “feel grass on their feet,” ride bikes, and grow like ordinary kids ✨ .

Kotb emphasizes that despite the medical demands, Hope “is fine for most of the day,” with active insulin tracking totaling just a half‑hour daily—“23 ½ hours, she’s every other kid” .

Inspirations Beyond the Diagnosis

The ordeal also brought unexpected gifts. Kotb penned a children’s book titled Hope Is a Rainbow, inspired by her daughter’s enduring spirit . As she shared at Hudson River Park Friends:

“Hope is stronger than I ever imagined… I’ve learned about myself: I thought I had reached my capacity of loving her” .

Her mother‑daughter bond deepened through daily check‑ins: “How are you feeling today, honey?”—without transferring worry, she learned to strike a careful balance .

A New Chapter: “Joy 101” and Life Lessons

In addition to writing, Kotb has launched a wellness platform, Joy 101, offering health & wellness guidance through her Joy With Hoda, LLC venture . This project embodies her mission: supporting others in managing health challenges while staying anchored to life’s simple joys.

Kotb has noted that stepping away from early–morning news has allowed her to cherish moments she once missed—like Haley’s spontaneous school performance or bedtime chats that define parenting.

Words of Wisdom for Parents

Kotb’s story carries a universal resonance: to be a parent, a professional, and a person—sometimes, something must give. Yet her refusal to let worry overshadow her children has become a quiet manifesto:

“Don’t put your worry on your kid… let them be kids and give them what they need when they need it” .

Her rallying cry: “Count our blessings, have a fun summer, and keep it rolling,” even as they continue the journey ahead .

Hope Lives On

Hoda Kotb’s transparency about Hope’s condition offers something rare: a public figure showing how vulnerability, love, and authenticity can coexist. Her message is clear:

Hope is not a burden—she is a beacon.

Type 1 diabetes is a challenge, but not a definition.

Motherhood, at its best, means rewriting priorities in real time.

And in every shadow, a mother’s love is a quiet, patient light.

In the coming months and years, Kotb plans to continue championing off‑camera—raising her girls, nurturing her family and helping others find “joy with Hoda.”

This is more than a celebrity story—it’s a reminder: life’s most profound moments are often found in the quiet, unpublicized spaces of the heart. Through crisis and calm, Hoda Kotb’s story of hope, motherhood, and love will inspire, comfort, and uplift.