Hoda Kotb Tearfully Reunites with the Family of a Woman Who Died of Breast Cancer and Whom the Today Anchor Developed a Special Bond

As Hoda Kotb says goodbye to her time at Today show, she also reconnects with friends from the past.

On Tuesday, January 7, during Kotb’s final week called “Hoda-bration,” the 60-year-old was reunited with the Ludwig family. Jason and his two daughters, Savannah and Aubrey, first met Kotb in 2016 after Kotb formed a special bond with the girls’ late mother, Erin.

Erin and Kotb bonded when they shared their separate journeys with breast cancer. Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. In 2016, television presenter i Today show then hosted the #PinkPowerTODAY series, which celebrated women across the nation who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kotb and Erin met and gravitated towards each other, but a few months later Erin died at the age of 35 in March 2017. A year after meeting the Ludwig family, Kotb reunited with Jason, Savannah and Aubrey and gifted the young girls giant teddy bears.

Hoda Kotb on January 7, 2025 in New York.

NBC

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Now, in celebration of Kotb’s time at Today show, her co-host Savannah Guthrie surprised her with an appearance by Jason, 13-year-old Savannah, and 10-year-old Aubrey.

The family came bearing gifts. Jason delivered his late wife’s favorite flowers to Kotb, and the girls brought similar teddy bears for Hoda’s daughters, Hope, 5, and Haley, 7.

Kotb immediately hugged each one individually as she tearfully exclaimed, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Guthrie added, “Look at these big girls!”

“We wouldn’t miss this for anything,” Jason said. “When we first received the call that we were asked to return, [I] we sat with the girls, we talked, and no doubt we all decided we wanted to come back and be here for you, Hoda. You’ve touched our lives in ways you have no idea,” he continued. “And we’re just a small percentage of the people whose lives you’ve touched and helped throughout your career.”

Savannah Ludwig, Hoda Kotb, Aubrey Ludwig on January 7, 2025 in New York.

NBC

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Jason went on to note that his family support system—including his father, brother, sister, cousins, and girlfriend—helped him raise his daughters.

“My girlfriend was there for me and I couldn’t have done it without her,” he said. Jason added that Erin is “still being brought up in conversations.” Adding, “She is still very much alive in our house and in our memories.”

“I can’t believe this moment happened. Guys, I can’t, I don’t know how to say thank you,” Kotb said. “I can’t wait to tell my girls about you girls — it’s going to be really cool.”

Hoda Kotb on January 7, 2025 in New York.

NBC

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Before they said goodbye, Jason revealed that Aubrey also had a gift for Kotb and Guthrie. She gave them handmade friendship bracelets.

“Oh, wow,” Kotb said at the same time. “I’m going to treasure this bracelet,” she said before telling her family she loved them and thanking them for their looks.

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Kotb’s last episode Today and Today with Hoda and Jenna will be broadcast on Friday, January 10. The buty show airs weekdays on NBC (beginning at 7 a.m. ET).

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Source: HIS Education