Celebrating the Best BFF Moments of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager Through the Years
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager have built a remarkable friendship both on and off screen.
Kotb and Bush Hager joined NBC’s Today in 2007 and 2009, respectively, and began cohosting the show’s fourth hour together after Kathie Lee Gifford departed in 2019. For over five years, they entertained audiences with laughter and heartfelt moments while interviewing Hollywood’s elite, experimenting with internet trends, playing games, and sharing their personal journeys.
In an October 2021 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, Bush Hager expressed her gratitude to Kotb for facilitating her big break. “I spent years doing various jobs, and I worked really hard. Producers told me, ‘You’re a correspondent. That’s where you belong,’ and I was content with that. I wanted to tell stories,” she tearfully reminisced. “You invited me to fill in with you, and that moment will always stay with me.”
Bush Hager was visibly emotional when Kotb announced her departure from Today after nearly 30 years at NBC in September 2024. “You’re the person I turn to in joyful times and times of uncertainty. You were the first to believe in me,” she said during the announcement.
Kotb mentioned that her successor would find “the easiest job in the world because they’ll be sitting next to you.”
She officially said farewell to the morning show in January 2025, after which Bush Hager continued to host the fourth hour, rebranded as Today With Jenna & Friends, featuring a rotating cast of celebrity guest hosts.
Scroll down to revisit some of the most touching moments shared between Kotb and Bush Hager throughout the years:
Beginning Their Adventure
Their hosting journey commenced on a heartfelt note, with Kotb moving Bush Hager to tears through special video greetings from her family: her dad, former President George W. Bush, her mom Laura Bush, and her mother-in-law Margaret Hager.
“Is this what’s in store for me? Am I going to be crying all the time?” Bush Hager humorously questioned, unknowingly foreshadowing many more emotional moments to come. “That was incredibly touching.”
Unwavering Support
Bush Hager has always supported Kotb during challenging times, especially when Kotb revealed her breakup with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman in January 2022. “Seeing you here today, standing strong, I can’t picture anyone braver,” Bush Hager stated during an episode of Hoda & Jenna, commending Kotb’s resilience and honesty.
Kotb offered comfort to Bush Hager when she expressed feelings of guilt for not being more present during a health scare involving Kotb’s youngest daughter, Hope, in early 2023. (Kotb shares daughters Haley and Hope with Schiffman.)
“When Hoda’s daughter was unwell, I felt I hadn’t supported her in the way I should have,” Bush Hager shared on Hoda & Jenna in May 2023. “I didn’t know what to do, but I just said, ‘I feel I haven’t been there for you.’”
Kotb regarded Bush Hager’s remarks as “one of the most beautiful sentiments,” emphasizing that her concern “meant everything” during that challenging period.
Venturing Into the Cold
Among their notable television appearances was the January 2022 polar plunge. While covering the event live, Bush Hager became frustrated with Kotb when she realized that Kotb hadn’t fully plunged into the icy water.
“Wait, what? You didn’t dive? You merely dipped your head?” Bush Hager exclaimed, as Kotb chuckled. “It makes sense you got out so quickly! I thought we agreed to dive together.”
Singing Their Hearts Out
Kotb and Bush Hager achieved their dream by releasing a Christmas song together in November 2023, with support from viral vocal coach Cheryl Porter. A month after their festive debut, the duo performed the song, titled “Carefree Christmas,” live in the Today Plaza.
“We literally transformed from non-singers to, at best, below-average singers,” Kotb joked in a December 2023 video clip before their live performance, casually noting that the track had reached the iTunes Top 10 music chart.
Playing Cupid
Two years after her split from Schiffman, Bush Hager shared that she played matchmaker by reaching out to friends to find someone nice outside of Kotb’s usual acquaintances.
“I texted three people: my sister [Barbara Bush] who was in graduate school; a friend who had just relocated to Connecticut, giving me access to a new circle; and another friend who just moved out of the city,” she recounted on a March 2024 episode of Hoda & Jenna. “And guess what? One of the friends had someone available! So, explore outside your usual circle.”
Bush Hager also eyed setting Kotb up with some of Today’s celebrity guests, including Lenny Kravitz. “I know another person who meditates and enjoys leather,” she mentioned during the show in September 2024, pointing out that both Kotb and Kravitz had worn leather earlier that day.
Celebrating Milestones
In April 2024, Kotb and Bush Hager celebrated their fifth anniversary as cohosts of Hoda & Jenna, sharing their excitement about working together. “It feels like just yesterday, yet also profoundly special to sit next to someone who radiates joy consistently, irrespective of what’s happening,” Bush Hager remarked on air. “You greet me with a smile every single day, even when it’s probably overwhelming. But here you are, beside me.”
Kotb mentioned that over their five-year partnership, they developed a “deep understanding of each other’s souls and purposes.” “Each day brings something different, new experiences, and lessons,” she said. “You have guided me because of your connections with various people, including those who bring healing. It all resonates; this is precisely how things are meant to be,” she added.
The milestone was marked with various surprises, including illuminating the Empire State Building in the show’s signature pink and purple hues, a new theme song performed by Meghan Trainor, and the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, proclaiming April 8, 2024, as Today With Hoda & Jenna Day.
Fun Nicknames
In an April 2024 episode of Hoda & Jenna, Bush Hager surprised the audience by revealing her nickname for Kotb: “Dad.” She explained, “I call her Dad because she’s always early, just like my father. I often say, ‘Dad says we can’t drink too much, Talia [Parkinson-Jones],’ to our supervisor. ‘Dad says put the vodka down.’”
This was followed by a clip of the duo celebrating in New Orleans the previous night, to which she remarked, “You weren’t acting like Dad last night. Hoda took a shot when we entered a dive bar, and before I knew it, she was taking shots. We danced and had a fantastic time.”
Birthday Surprises
Bush Hager made Kotb emotional with a meaningful gift during the “Hoda’s 60th Birthday Bash” episode of Hoda & Jenna in August 2024. “I asked my dad, who has taken up painting, to create your favorite photo of you with your daughters,” Bush Hager announced as Kotb began to cry. Seeing her cohost’s profound reaction, Bush Hager exhaled, “Oh no! This is too much!”
Travel Adventures
Kotb and Bush Hager took their show on the road numerous times, visiting locations like Québec City, Canada, Bermuda, and New Orleans, where Kotb began her career in local news. For their final journey in October 2024, they traveled to Austin, Texas, where Bush Hager had attended high school and college.
During their trip south, Bush Hager took Kotb on a guided tour of her old haunts, including Austin High School, eateries like El Arroyo and Joann’s Fine Foods, and the Donn’s Depot piano bar and saloon.
Family Experiences
As Kotb and Bush Hager became close on screen, their families also bonded. In October 2024, both hosts, along with Guthrie, took their children to Miami for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. “SWIFTIES!!!” Kotb captioned Instagram photos from the concert.
Halloween Fun
Despite several memorable Today Halloween costumes over the years, Kotb and Bush Hager didn’t collaborate on their first joint costume until their final Halloween celebration in October 2024. The duo dressed as the iconic film couple Jack and Rose from Titanic, fitting the year’s “VHS Rewind” theme.
They even made light of Kotb’s Today departure while mimicking the film’s famous door scene on Hoda & Jenna. “It’s been a fantastic ride, but I feel like I’m moving on. I’m set to repot myself somewhere new,” Kotb joked while pretending to sink into the ocean.
Secret Signals
Even though Bush Hager never had the chance to co-host a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Kotb, the latter established a tradition of using a secret signal for Bush Hager during the event. “Last year, we created a secret symbol where Hoda would pretend to brush her teeth with her finger,” Bush Hager clarified on a November 2024 episode of Hoda & Jenna.
For Kotb’s final hosting appearance during the parade, they decided her signal to Bush Hager would be a dance move they devised for comedian Matt Rogers’ Christmas song “RockaFellaCenta.”
Bush captured the moment Kotb showcased the dance move alongside Guthrie during that year’s parade on Instagram. “So grateful to my hilarious and loyal @hodakotb who always delivers! Thanks to my dear @savannahguthrie!!!” she wrote in the clip’s caption. “That was a (not so!) secret dance move!”
Farewell Moments
Bush Hager shared her sadness about Kotb’s Today exit multiple times leading up to Kotb’s last show in January 2025. “When everyone’s saying, ‘Oh my goodness! Congratulations,’ I feel like I’ve been left behind,” she humorously remarked on a December 2024 episode of her “Open Book with Jenna” podcast. “Not literally, of course, since she’s prioritizing herself. I respect that. But my heart is a little broken.”
During Kotb’s final Today episode, she entrusted her “Hoda’s Morning Boost” segment to Bush Hager in the second hour of the show. Later on Hoda & Jenna, Bush Hager expressed her gratitude towards Kotb, stating, “Thank you for all you have taught me” in a video segment. “I will miss you, my friend, but I love you, and I’m so proud. Always and forever, Jenna.”
In a letter addressed to her fans, Kotb expressed that a “new chapter began” when she started cohosting the show with Bush Hager. “Six unforgettable years filled with laughter and genuine friendship,” she reflected. “I can hardly mention her name without bursting into laughter, but it’s her vulnerability and lovable essence that truly captured my heart.”
Bush Hager shared a few final heartfelt remarks for Kotb as she drove away from 30 Rock with her children in her minivan. “You are deeply loved. I can’t imagine this place without you, but thankfully, we have a date set in your calendar. Thank you all for supporting us, and Hoda, I love you,” she concluded, as Kotb signaled her excitement for Jenna & Friends, set to premiere the following week.
