Hoda Kotb burst into tears on Monday morning when her Today colleagues organized a surprise reunion for her live on air to mark her 60th birthday.
The television presenter, who celebrated the start of a new decade with her family at her Long Island home last Friday, fought back tears as Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin presented her with a montage of video messages from people whose lives she has touched.
As the clip played, Hoda became particularly emotional when a man named Bart Conley appeared on the screen and introduced himself as the husband of a woman named Jill, whom Hoda met in the Cayman Islands while battling breast cancer.
As soon as she heard Bart’s voice, Hoda – who was wearing a bright orange blouse and dark blue jeans – quickly turned away from the camera and wiped her eyes as she tried to calm herself down while Savannah, 52, rubbed her arm and tried to comfort her.
As the story of Hoda and Jill’s friendship played out on screen, the mother of two was seen constantly wiping her eyes and taking deep breaths, as it obviously brought back painful memories of Jill’s sad death in 2016 at the age of 38.
Hoda Kotb burst into tears on Monday morning when her Today colleagues organized a surprise gathering for her to mark her 60th birthday.
The TV presenter could not hide her emotions when a man named Bart Conley appeared on the screen
Moments later, Hoda was stunned when Craig and Savannah revealed that Bart was actually live in the studio, along with a father-daughter duo — who she met years ago through a battle with cancer — and a couple who had surprised her live on air with the news of an adoption.
When Hoda greeted Bart, she gave him a long hug and lovingly pressed his head against hers before they shared a nice story about her first meeting with Jill.
Bart began, “You both had breast cancer and it was a blessing that you turned to us and from the beginning we always felt so close to you, like a true friend and not like a star on TV.”
“I remember going to lunch with you. You two got along well. I felt so comfortable. And you sharing our story meant so, so much to us.”
Hoda added: “Do you remember that incident in the Cayman Islands? I’ll never forget it. Jill said to me, ‘I have X months to live,’ so I brought it up with her and she said, ‘I’ll never forget that.'” She pointed at you and said, ‘I’m the luckiest person in the world,’ before her voice broke.
“It’s one of those things that stays in your heart forever. I remember what she said about you, it’s beautiful,” Hoda continued.
After Jill’s death in early February 2016, Hoda – now known as X – posted a photo of her with Bart and Jill on Twitter and wrote: “I will miss my friend @JillsWish – a brave fighter #heartbroken.”
Today began documenting Jill’s story in 2013, when a chance encounter led to her special friendship with Hoda.
Hoda posted this picture of herself with Bart and Jill when she learned that Jill had passed away in February 2016
Hoda gave Bart a big hug when he surprised her in the Today studio on Monday morning
Hoda was also surprised by a father-daughter duo named Devon and Leah Still, as well as a couple named Frank and Stacey Parrado and their daughter Addison (right).
They were introduced to each other at a gala in the Cayman Islands that raised money and awareness for breast cancer programs. Hoda was one of the event attendees who was drawn to Jill’s optimism.
Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 at the age of 43. She underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery the following month and has been committed to breast cancer awareness ever since.
In a March 2023 episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she spoke about her decision to go public with her diagnosis, saying, “When I was diagnosed (in 2007), I wanted to say nothing about it and forget about it, but someone encouraged me to say something.”
She went on to explain that there are “so many advantages” to making her diagnosis public, but “the only downside is that people look at you with pity. And I have to say, for me personally, that’s one of the worst looks you can ever endure.”
