Today show star Hoda Kotb's three-year-old daughter in ICU amid sudden absence
Hoda Kotb has returned to the Today Show after an extended absence due to a "family health matter".
During Monday's episode, she returned to her hosting duties and explained her three-year-old daughter Hope Catherine had suffered from health complications which resulted in the youngster staying in hospital.
Hoda said: "My youngest, Hope, was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for more than a week.
"I'm so grateful she's home. She is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I'm just so happy."
Hoda added: "When your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who helped you out.
Jay Leno jokes he has a 'brand new face' after gas fire left third-degree burns"I'm grateful for the doctors, who were amazing, and the nurses. And I'm grateful to my family, and I'm grateful to friends like you, who were there every single day.
"So I want to say thank you for that. I love you."
She did not provide any further information about her daughter's diagnosis.
Fans have taken to Twitter to offer their support, with one person writing: "So happy to hear that your daughter is doing better, and that she is home. Glad your back to Today!"
Another said: "Welcome back @hodakotb we've missed you and we're so happy to hear that your beautiful daughter is home!"
"Oh Hoda!! I started crying listening to you. I’m so happy little Hope is well," a third fan penned.
Earlier this month, the NBC show addressed Hoda's absence.
"As for Hoda, we know some of you are wondering how she’s doing," Craig Melvin said. "We can tell you, Hoda’s OK. She's got a family health matter she’s been dealing with."
Her absence from the Today Show coincided with co-host Savannah Guthrie also taking a break from the show.
Savannah tested positive for Covid-19 on February 28 and left the anchor desk in the middle of that day's broadcast.
Blob of rotting seaweed twice the width of entire USA is giving people 'anxiety'"Savannah left early, she wasn’t feeling great, so she took a COVID test," Sheinelle Jones said at the time.
"It came back positive. So, as soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest up. So Savannah, we love you."