Hoda Kotb and daughters celebrate following challenging time - see heartwarming family photos

The Today host shares her children with her ex-fiance, Joel Schiffman


Hoda Kotb and daughter Haley Joy on the Today Show Monday, October 21, 2019
5 July 2023

Hoda Kotb held her children tight as they celebrated the July Fourth holiday with their loved ones on Tuesday - and it'll be an extra special gathering this year. 

The Today host was supported by her mom, Sameha, and sister, Hala, in photos she shared on Instagram, along with her daughters, Hope, four, and Haley, six

Hoda beamed in the selection of snapshots and her children looked delighted to be surrounded by their family. 

WATCH: Hoda Kotb tears up as she talks about daughter Hope's difficult health battle

The holiday comes after what has been a challenging time for the family with Hoda's youngest being admitted to the ICU with a medical condition earlier this year. 

In March, the Emmy Award-winning journalist took a break from her co-hosting duties on "Today with Hoda & Jenna" when her child's health complications escalated.

On her return, she revealed that Hope was in the ICU and the hospital. "My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week," Kotb said during the March 6 episode. 

MORE: Hoda Kotb called out by co-star over peculiar habit after on-air surprise

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"I'm so grateful she's home. She is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I'm just so happy. "She hasn't revealed the reason for Hope's frightening time in hospital, but alluded to it being an ongoing condition. 

Hoda's youngest daughter was in the ICU

"Hope's doing much better, much better," she told PEOPLE. "I think it's going to be a longer road, but she is doing great." 

While Hoda's ex-fiance, and the father of her children, Joel Schiffman, wasn't with them during their July Fourth celebrations, he continues to co-parent the girls.

Hoda and her ex Joel Schiffman co-parent their children

Hoda and Joel have maintained a solid relationship despite their break-up and the TV star recently paid tribute to him on Father's Day

The 58-year-old took to Instagram to share a lovely photo of Joel with their daughters, taken in the living room of his home. 

Hoda adopted both of her daughters, Hayley and Hope

He had been treated to a feast of sausage rolls and a handmade card, which read 'I love you so much'. Fans rushed to react to the sweet post, which had been captioned: "Happy father's day to a great dad!!" 

One commented: "This is everything," while another fan wrote: "What a sweetheart, so happy to see this and that he still has an active role in their lives." A third added: "He loves his girls!" 

© Instagram

Hoda hasn't revealed why Hope was in the hospital

The former couple adopted both girls together but their relationship came to and end in January 2022, when they decided that they were better as friends. Hoda has praised Joel for going on her adoption journey with her. 

Speaking to PEOPLE, Hoda said: "I looked him in the eye and I said, 'I would like to explore adoption with you.' And there was like a second there, I was like, 'This is the end of a relationship or the beginning of a family.'

© Getty

Hoda and Joel have remained friends since their split

"My heart was pounding and he just looked at me and he said, 'I don't need a week.' [to think about it]. At that moment, I fell on his chest and was sobbing."

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