Hoda Kotb is feeling good this Friday!
The TODAY show anchor turns 56 this Sunday (Aug. 9) and her morning show family celebrated early today by showering her with early birthday wishes.
While reminiscing about her whirlwind year with Jenna Bush-Hager (Hoda got engaged to fiancé Joel Schiffman in November 2019 and she adopted daughter Hope several months prior in April), the mother of two shared, "Some people they get their blessings in their 20s, and some people get theirs in their 30s and 40s, and some people wait until their 50s, maybe even their 60s or even beyond. But when they come, they come. And there's something about getting them later, because you can't believe it. And that's kind of how I'm feeling. I'm happy for every birthday…I'm so happy I get this birthday with these kids and everything."
Jenna then surprised Hoda by revealing that dozens of TODAY staffers had video conferenced in to toast her ahead of her b-day. They also sent in 56 reasons they love working with Hoda, including, "You're always so authentic," "You're the same on air as off air," "You have a heart of gold" and "You inspire those around us."
"You make coming to work such a pleasure, " Jenna added.
Grab the Kleenex!
The sweet surprise messages caused both Hoda and Jenna to shed a few happy tears. But the emotional, heartwarming surprises didn't end there!
Maria Shriver sent in a self-filmed video gushing over Hoda and wishing her HBD before Jenna pulled up one final surprise: a video of Hoda's oldest daughter Haley Joy singing "Happy Birthday" to her mom!
"I love you mommy!" Haley said. Aw!
Watch the touching (slightly tear-jerking) tribute above in honor of the beloved TODAY anchor! And check out some of Hoda's sweetest family moments with her daughters in the photo gallery below.
(E! and TODAY are both part of the NBCUniversal family)
New Year, New Fun
The Joy 101 founder celebrated the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year by walking her daughters Haley and Hope to campus.
School Drop Off
Hoda celebrates her first free morning after leaving Today by personally dropping daughters Hope and Joy off at school.
Mommy Duty
"School drop!!! Let’s goooo!" the longtime NBC anchor captioned her Jan. 13, 2025 Instagram.
Halloween 2024
After announcing she's leaving Today, Hoda celebrates her first Halloween in the New York suburbs with her kids.
Cheer-Worthy
Haley and Hope match in cheerleader costumes.
Mother's Day Surprise
Hoda got emotional as Haley and Hope surprised her with an early Mother's Day gift.
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.
Sweet Sister
"Look who is feeding Hope!" Kotb wrote on her Instagram in May 2019, showing off Haley feeding her newborn Hope.
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.
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."
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.
Birthday Girl
On Valentine's Day, the TV host celebrated Haley's second birthday and shared on Instagram how she felt saying, "So much love today."
Ho Ho Home
The beaming TV personality spent Christmas with her mother, sister and daughter.
Queen Bees
Haley celebrated her second Halloween by twinning with her mom in matching bee costumes.
Apple of Her Eye
In August of 2018, the mother-daughter duo spent an autumn day together picking apples.
Splashing Around
"I can't believe I get to do this .. #grateful" she wrote on her 54th birthday.
Proud Mama
On Mother's Day, Today co-anchor Hoda posed with her one-year-old cutie, Haley, as she sported a cute tee with the word "mama."
Mother's Day Duo
"Pre dawn photo shoots in bed are a blast," gushed the happy mom in a cute Insta selfie early on Mother's Day.
Sixtieth Surprise
On March 2018, the Oklahoma-native celebrated partner Joel Schiffman's 60th birthday with their baby girl and a homemade cake.
Post-Olympic Bliss
"Home!!!!!" announced the TV host on Instagram after spending two weeks covering the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Pre-Olympics Shenanigans
The day before arriving in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics, the TV personality had some fun with her little sweetheart and her USA beanie.
Football's Cutest Fan
Gooo Saints! Hoda and her little sport's fan cheered on the New Orleans Saints in their game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 14.
Christmas Stripe Stars
"Santa we are ready!!!" the journalist wrote on this Christmas selfie with her mom, her partner and her little angel.
Turkey Time
On November 23, Hoda posed with her partner and her baby girl for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
(E! and TODAY are both part of the NBCUniversal family)