Hoda Kotb is a beacon of positivity, especially as she celebrates her 60th birthday and enters into a new decade of her life. Parade caught up with the TODAY co-host to hear all about why she thinks her 60s will be her best years yet.

Hoda Kotb: Reinvented, Rejuvenated, Radiant at 60

She’s the familiar face millions of Americans wake up to each morning. But today, Hoda Kotb isn’t just co-hosting the TODAY Show—she’s rewriting the script on what it means to live fully, love fearlessly, and thrive unapologetically in your 60s.

Turning 60 is often portrayed as a quiet milestone, a time for slowing down. But for Kotb, it’s anything but. As she dances into this new decade of life, she’s declaring it “the best chapter yet”—and she means it.

In an exclusive interview with Parade, Kotb opens up about aging, motherhood, love, heartbreak, and why she’s finally living life on her own terms.

The Power of Now: A Mindset Shift Decades in the Making

“I always thought the best years were behind me,” Kotb admits, smiling softly. “But I’m realizing now—this is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”

It’s not just a birthday. It’s a bold new chapter. After weathering public heartbreak, navigating the ups and downs of live television, and embracing motherhood later in life, Kotb is stronger, wiser, and more herself than ever.

Her mantra? “You can bloom again—even at 60.”

For Kotb, this decade isn’t about fading into the background. It’s about stepping into the spotlight, fully present and wholly unafraid.

Love, Loss, and Lessons Learned

Much of Kotb’s recent emotional evolution stems from personal change. In 2022, she quietly ended her engagement with Joel Schiffman, the father of her two adopted daughters, Haley and Hope. The breakup, though deeply painful, was also freeing.

“I learned that sometimes love means letting go,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “It doesn’t mean failure. It means growth.”

Rather than retreat from the public eye, Kotb remained vulnerable and open on air—something fans admire her deeply for. “I wanted people to know it’s okay to start over. Again and again, if you have to.”

The Joy of Motherhood—at Any Age

Kotb became a mother at 52, adopting her first daughter, Haley, in 2017, followed by Hope in 2019. It was a journey of heartache and hope. She recalls nights spent crying alone, wondering if motherhood would ever happen for her.

“I used to think I missed the window,” she shares. “But now I know—my girls arrived exactly when they were meant to.”

Now, her mornings start with snuggles and cereal before heading off to the TODAY set. “They keep me young,” she laughs. “They remind me every day that joy doesn’t come from how old you are—it comes from who you’re with.”

Kotb’s story is proof that motherhood isn’t bound by age—it’s bound by love.

Embracing the Mirror—and the Moment

Does turning 60 come with insecurities? Absolutely. Kotb is the first to admit it. “There are days I look in the mirror and think, ‘Who is that?’” she jokes. “But then I think—I know exactly who that is. She’s been through hell and still shows up smiling.”

Unlike the glossy filters of social media, Kotb is refreshingly real. She doesn’t pretend to have it all together. “Aging is weird. But it’s also beautiful. Every line tells a story.”

And those stories are what she’s most proud of—stories of resilience, joy, heartbreak, healing, and deep, abiding love.

The Secret Sauce? Gratitude.

If there’s one thing Kotb attributes her new outlook to, it’s gratitude. She practices it religiously—often jotting down three things she’s thankful for each day.

“When you focus on what you have, you stop worrying about what you don’t,” she says.

Gratitude has carried her through career highs and personal lows, from winning a Daytime Emmy to recovering from breast cancer in her early 40s.

“It saved me,” she says simply. “It still does.”

What’s Next? “Absolutely Anything”

Far from retiring or slowing down, Kotb says she’s just getting started. She’s got new projects in the works—including a children’s book and more podcast episodes featuring raw, honest conversations with celebrities and everyday heroes.

And yes—she’s open to love again.

“I’m not in a rush. But I believe love always finds its way back to you.”

Why Hoda Kotb at 60 Is the Role Model We Need

In a world obsessed with youth and perfection, Kotb’s unapologetic authenticity is a breath of fresh air. She’s not chasing trends or hiding her age—she’s embracing it with wide-open arms.

Her advice for anyone struggling with aging?

“Live like you mean it. Wear the dress. Say the thing. Eat the cake. Because this moment—this one right here—isn’t coming back.”

At 60, Hoda Kotb isn’t dimming her light.

She’s turning up the volume.