Hoda Kotb Adopts Baby, Names Her Haley Joy

Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC’s The Today Show, missed work on Tuesday but still called in to the show with an announcement – she was at home taking care of her new adopted baby, Haley Joy Kotb.

Named after Halley’s Comet, Kotb’s child reminded her of a rare flash of light. “I just picture her sailing through the sky,” Kotb, 52, told her Today Show co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford.

Gifford, who had known for sometime that Kotb was going to be adopting a baby, was thrilled – for her friend and because she had been able to keep the secret. “I’ve got the biggest mouth in the world and I’ve said zilch,” said Gifford on The Today Show.

Many of Kotb’s fellow Today Show on-air personalities have shared their congratulations over Twitter since hearing the announcement.

“Can’t. Stop. Crying. I’m so thrilled for you,” wrote Jenna Bush Hager, an anchor on The Today Show and daughter of former President George W. Bush. “Haley Joy’s life will be defined by *JOY* with you as a mama.”

 

Beyond the outpour of love and support from Kotb’s NBC family, many celebrities have reached out with kind words and gifts – including a giant Snoopy  from Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen.

“Thank you @Andy,” Kotb’s tweet begins, “as soon as she wakes up .. she will meet her first gigantic @Snoopy.”

Kotb’s will raise Haley Joy with her boyfriend of three and a half years, Joel Schiffman. Kotb previously was married to Burzis Kanga, but the couple divorced in 2007.