‘Today’ Hoda Kotb Reveals Dreams Were ‘Killed’ By Cancer

Recently, the Today host, Hoda Kotb rawly revealed how her dreams were ‘killed.’ Sadly, after receiving the heart-wrenching diagnosis of cancer, she couldn’t do what she always believed she would.

Hoda Kotb Celebrates 60 Years

Hoda Kotb got an amazing 60th birthday surprise from her co-workers at Today upon her return to the States. Along the way, life has given her some unplanned journeys. Her life was jolted by the discovery of cancer that shook her to her core. Undeniably, it has been an emotional rollercoaster for Hoda to go through.

Hoda Kotb Reveals Dreams Were ‘Killed’ By Cancer

On her podcast Making Space, Hoda Kotb opened up about her heart-wrenching cancer diagnosis. Hoda says, “I do remember that even the doctor said to me then, you know, one of the sort of side effects, especially at your age, which was in my 40s, early 40s, is you won’t be able to have children.” Unfortunately, the news stopped her in her tracks. She remembers thinking, “And I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ So this thing not only put limits on my life but killed a dream.” When she found out about her breast cancer diagnosis, Hoda learned she wouldn’t be able to get pregnant. She was facing the harsh fact she couldn’t do what she always believed she would.

She Remains Resilient

However, Hoda Kotb didn’t let it defeat her. She recalls, “I remember waking up one morning and saying to myself — it was like a lightning bolt — and it was like, I remember those four words.” She realized, “It was, ‘You can’t scare me.’” Admittedly, it was “because the worst had happened.” Furthermore, she showed her resilience by saying, “So now what? Now what am I afraid of? And so not being afraid released me. It made me free, it was amazing.”

Additionally, Hoda Kotb says, “Asking for what you deserve is something that you should be able to do without worrying about, ‘Well I’m doing this because maybe I won’t live that long.’” Then, she adds, “We shouldn’t have to have that in order to propel us to ask for what we deserve.”

Hoda Kotb Found A New Way

Although Hoda Kotb received the difficult news of breast cancer, she didn’t let it stop her. In 2013, she and her boyfriend at the time, Joel Schiffman, brought home an adopted daughter, Haley. Then, in 2019, they also welcomed a second daughter through adoption, Hope. While the couple later split in 2022, they don’t regret their choice to embrace their children.

Diagnosis Doesn’t Define A Person

Previously, Hoda Kotb shared about her cancer on Today, “When I got sick, I remember it so clearly because I was thinking to myself, like, ‘How do I have breast cancer?’ and ‘Why do I need a mastectomy?’” Understandably, she was in shock from learning about her diagnosis. She said, “I worried that everyone who had cancer died of cancer. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, well, I have it now. So is that what that means?’” Notably, Hoda has remained cancer-free since her mastectomy and continues to educate others about not allowing a diagnosis to define them. Although her dream was stolen by the disease, she is embracing Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, and celebrating life despite her diagnosis. She loved her 50s and can’t wait to see what lies ahead in her 60s.

What do you think about Hoda Kotb pushing past the loss of her dream? Have you survived a “killed” dream? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Bonnie Kaiser-Gambill is a graduate from Oklahoma State University. Her freelance writing primarily focuses on streaming series, reality TV, and celebrity news. During her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and traveling as often as possible.

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