Hoda Kotb, the radiant 61-year-old co-anchor of NBC’s Today whose infectious energy has brightened mornings for 25 million viewers since 2007, stunned America with a tearful revelation on October 28, 2025: she has quietly adopted her third child, a 4-year-old girl named Lila Grace. The announcement, made during a special Today segment from her New York home, came without teasers or leaks, leaving co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager speechless and the internet flooded with 3.5 million #HodaHeart posts as fans wiped away tears in unison. “It’s a miracle I wasn’t expecting,” Kotb whispered, her voice cracking with joy as she cradled Lila, the little girl’s giggles filling the screen like sunlight breaking through clouds.
The adoption, finalized in late September 2025 after a secretive process spanning 18 months, marks a profound chapter for Kotb, who has championed single motherhood since adopting daughters Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 5, in 2017 and 2019. “Love doesn’t wait for perfect timing — it shows up when you need it most,” Kotb shared, recounting how a late-night email from an adoption agency led to Lila’s arrival just weeks later. The child, from the foster system in the Midwest, arrived with a backpack of drawings and a shy smile that “melted me instantly,” Kotb said. No media frenzy preceded it; Kotb, ever private about her family, chose a low-key reveal to shield Lila from the spotlight’s glare.
Guthrie, wiping her own tears, called it “the sweetest surprise,” while Bush Hager added, “Hoda, you’re a mom of miracles.” The segment featured a montage of Kotb’s journey — from her 2010 divorce to her 2017 adoption vows — underscoring her resilience amid career highs, including Emmys for Dateline specials and Today‘s 2025 ratings dominance (up 12%). “Motherhood isn’t about biology; it’s about the boundless capacity to love,” Kotb reflected, her eyes sparkling as Lila waved at the camera, oblivious to the outpouring of global support.
The news has inspired a wave of kindness: pledges to Kotb’s charity, the Hoda Kotb Foundation, surged 300% within hours, topping $250,000 for foster care initiatives. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey tweeted, “Hoda’s heart is as big as her smile — welcome, Lila!” (1.2M likes). Kotb, who has advocated for adoption since her own journey, emphasized privacy: “Lila deserves a normal childhood — that’s my gift to her.”
This “quiet miracle” resonates in an era of influencer overshare, reminding us that true joy often blooms in silence. As Kotb vowed, “We’re just getting started,” her third chapter proves family isn’t planned — it’s embraced, one unexpected dawn at a time. With Today‘s holiday specials looming, Kotb’s family of five is the real show-stealer, a testament to love’s unscripted magic.
