Jenna Bush Hager is celebrating her birthday with a little help from her friend and former cohost, Hoda Kotb.
On Tuesday, Hager was joined by celebrity guest host Andy Cohen to host her birthday episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, which was jam-packed with surprises to mark the occasion. Among them was a special video message from a very familiar face.
“JBH, good morning,” Kotb began, smiling at the camera for the early morning video. “It’s 5 a.m., just getting ready to start the day and guess what was on my calendar? It’s your birthday!”
Hager was smiling back as Kotb continued, “Happy birthday, my girl. I bet they’re gonna have a huge, beautiful celebration for you. I love you. I wish I could be with you, but know that I’m with you in spirit.”
But since it wouldn’t be a proper birthday celebration without a little bit of deceit, the video ended only to reveal that Kotb was actually backstage, hiding out behind a curtain with a plate of chips and queso for her favorite Texas native.
Hoda Kotb surprises Jenna Bush Hager on ‘Today’.
TODAY with Jenna & Friends/YouTube (2)
Jumping up to greet her friend, Hager asked Cohen, “What?! Is that why you asked me if I’d been talking to Hoda?”
“A little,” the Bravo host replied.
Kotb and Hager then shared a hug, throughout which Hager was still in disbelief over Kotb’s appearance.
“I cannot believe you’re here,” Hager exclaimed. “I cannot believe you came.”
After more hugging and happy birthday wishes, the three moved over to the couch to discuss the former morning show anchor’s upcoming gig as the co-host of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kotb, who departed Today in January to spend more time with her kids, also shared some snaps of a recent children’s birthday party held at her house.
“I’m having people over,” she exclaimed.
“She’s hosting!” Hager celebrated. “She never used to host!”
Kotb then divulged some details about her Joy 101 wellness app, prompting Hager to send her off by saying, “What you’re doing is amazing, but we miss you!”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Alongside Hager, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, Kotb was a longtime staple of the morning show. She spent 17 years on Today and a grand total of 26 years total working for NBC. But fueled by a desire to be there for her young kids and focus on her new wellness business venture, Kotb announced her departure in 2024.
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Even with her new schedule, Kotb has still made time to visit the show despite giving up her hosting duties. In September, she marked the release of her new book, Jump and Find Joy by chatting with Guthrie on Today. The conversation saw Kotb share the unforgettable words that Guthrie said upon learning that her longtime co-anchor was leaving the program.
“I remember I dialed your number. My heart was pounding, like, pounding. And you said, ‘I’m at a wedding, hey girl!’ being your awesome self. And I said to you, ‘I have to tell you something,'” Kotb recalled. “And you go, ‘Wait, what?’ And you stop for a second and I told you.”
She continued, “What you said to me, I’ll never forget for as long as I live. You said, ‘I’ll mourn for us later, but today, I’ll say to you’ — I’ll say exactly what you said — ‘you got balls!’ That’s what you said to me.”
See Kotb and Hager reunite in the video above.