Hoda Kotb Shares One Wish For Her Daughters When They Grow Up

Hoda Kotb has big dreams for her little girls.

Namely, passing on her love for New Orleans. In her cover story for Southern Living‘s April 2023 issue, the Today show anchor reflected on her time living and working as a reporter in the Big Easy, sharing that she hopes one day daughters Haley Joy, 6, and Hope Catherine, 3, “know they have another place to call home, and that’s New Orleans.”

“When they grow up, I want them to understand that when they get off the plane and they walk into this city, that they’re going to get a warm embrace,” explained Hoda, who is now based in New York City. “I want so badly for this to be a part of their lives because it’s such an important part of mine.”

Recalling her memories of strolling down the French Quarter, eating a beignet while listening to jazz music, the 58-year-old continued, “I want them to know that life, so they will be coming here their whole lives and I think it’s going to end up being a place they feel like is home.”