“Beginning Again At 61,” TV Personality Hoda Kotb Says She’s Starting A New Chapter- Mom of Two, Cancer Survivor

The mom of two explained, “I’m a beginner all over again. It is like in, you know, when I started at NBC … I didn’t know what I was doing and I felt like a kid. I feel like that all over again.

“I think my 60s, I’m 61, are like my ‘begin again’ era. Like learn new things, era. So I’m a cheerleader by nature. I’m like, ‘You did it. Go girl.’ Like that’s what I want to do.”

In addition to the new app she’s created, her new book “Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life” is set to be released on Sept. 23, 2025.

As for what she now defines as success, Kotb explained, “For my company, success will come when I think a lot of people are just using it because I think they’ll feel better. I think success to me now means happiness. I think success to me now means a company that’s steady eddy and crushing it, but also watching my kids pick up acorns on the way to school and being able to take my time. Success is like feeling the weight of their hand in mine.

“Success is a lot of things. It used to be ratings, and now success to me is a kind of a more wider picture. It’s my time pie carved up differently, and it’s beautiful. I work as hard as I’ve ever worked, actually. However, for some reason, I have more hours in the day, it seems, and I work from my home, so my kids, you know, wave to me and moon me, and haha, okay.”

She concluded, “Anyway, but I’m just more present, so I think that’s how I would define it. More present.”

Meanwhile, in a conversation about aging and on QVC’s Q50 Age of Possibility campaign, Kotb told Country Living, “I think that what QVC is doing is pretty incredible, because I think there’s a group of people that sometimes in the past were seen as invisible—‘Who are they? Nobody notices them.

QVC decided to say, ‘Oh, we see you.’ And one by one, these cool, awesome women pop up on the stages of QVC—Billy Jean King, Kathie Lee—and it’s like, all of a sudden you look at what 50 and beyond looks like, and your shoulders go back.”

Looking back on how she used to live a very fast-paced life, she told QVC, “I think the thing that I was doing unknowingly was racing through and getting through the next day, and what’s happening on Wednesday, and what about Friday? And then it’s the weekend, oh Monday again; and then weeks become months and months become years.

“So I think it’s good to just slow it all down. I think that’s probably my best advice, which I’m taking myself. Enjoy breakfast and don’t race through it. Enjoy a funny moment, and listen; sit with it as opposed to trying to quickly move on to the next. All that we have is the here and now.”

As for her view on aging, Kotb admitted, “I think spirit is ageless. And I think when you see someone coming, you know what their spirit is. I’ve seen a 30-year-old who’s hunched over and a 90-year-old who’s effervescent, bubbling, and curious..

“[It’s] how you walk into a room—you set the temperature, you decide. Beauty, by the way, is confidence. And I know that how we look affects how we feel; I feel the same way. But I think it’s when we put our focus on others and other things, [that] beauty comes out.”

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Hoda Kotb’s Journey With Cancer & Fertility

In 2007, Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer after doctors found lumps in her breast during a routine checkup.

To treat the disease, she underwent a mastectomy, a procedure in which one breast is surgically removed. Later, she had breast reconstruction surgery to restore the appearance and shape of the breast.

After her surgery, the respected news anchor continued her cancer treatment with a five-year course of tamoxifen (also known by the brand name Nolvadex). This medication is classified as a selective estrogen receptor modulator, which means it blocks estrogen from fueling the growth of certain cancer cells.

WATCH: Women Creating a Great Life After Breast Cancer

Tamoxifen is also commonly prescribed as a preventative measure for women at increased risk of breast cancer, particularly those with a strong family history of the disease.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

While the drug can cause side effects—often resembling menopause symptoms such as hot flashes—these are generally treatable and manageable.

Kotb previously spoke with “Prevention,” an online health news resource, informing them she is cancer-free.

“Cancer shaped me, but it did not define me. It’s part of me, but not all of me,” Kotb said at the annual Breast Cancer Research Foundation New York Symposium and Awards Luncheon in 2017.

Kotb endured challenges with fertility as a result of her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

“I remember that my oncologist called, and we were talking about freezing my eggs,” Kotb told Good Housekeeping in an earlier interview. “She basically said that given my age and (my breast cancer treatment), it was pretty close to a dead-end.”

Her reaction was, understandably, filled with sorrow. And at that moment, she doubted she’d ever realize her dream of becoming a mother.

And she thanks her now ex-fiance for providing the support she needed to become a mother.

“I don’t think I would’ve adopted if it hadn’t been for Joel,” she said of Schiffman, whom she split from after eight years together.

RELATED: TV Anchor Hoda Kotb Says ‘All The Best Things In My Life Happened After 50’- The Monumental Phone Call From Adoption Agency

“Having a stable relationship in that moment was really important. Once that fell into place, it didn’t seem as scary to me.”

Understanding Aging

At 61, Hoda Kotb continues to embrace the aging process with optimism—something that can often feel puzzling as we grow older. Kotb’s ability to stay positive is particularly admirable, considering she’s spent more than 25 years in the spotlight. While we often hear sayings like “Age is just a number,” it’s worth asking what that truly means—and how it affects our overall health and sense of well-being.

RELATED: World Record: 99-Year-Old Grandmother Clocks 5K Less Than an Hour. These Seniors Prove Age Is Just a Number By Defying Norms, Breaking Fitness Records

From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call ‘aging.’ Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.

SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.

Some key points to remember about aging:

• Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
• The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
• While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
• Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.

Practicing Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

If you struggle with self-perception and body image, you should try to look at yourself in a positive light despite how difficult it may be. By practicing body positivity, you can boost your emotional well-being.

Dr. Marianna Strongin, a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist, also has some helpful advice. She encourages people that spending time in front of the mirror can help with body image.

Although “research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with,” which can cause “a negative self-view and lower self-esteem,” it’s important to look at the parts of your body that you love and the parts of your body that you don’t.

Eventually, Dr. Strongin says, doing so can help you create a more accepting relationship with yourself.

“Body image is both the mental picture that you have of your body and how you feel about your body when you look in a mirror,” she said. “As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body.”

It’s important to remember there is no one definition of beauty, and following a health crisis, patients must learn to be proud of who they are and how far they’ve come inside and out.

Healthy Aging Tips

Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:

Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!

The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk

Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.

Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.

Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.

Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure!

Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed.

Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.

Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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