A Cancer Survivor's Fresh Start
- ‘TODAY with Hoda & Jenna’ host Hoda Kotb is loved by fans because of her playful sense of humor, and she’s playing right into what we want to know—in a truthful way of course—now that she is newly single.
- Jenna Bush Hager says her pal is indeed ready for a “feral girl summer,” but Hoda interjected that she’s more “tiptoeing” into the dating life, but admitted she’s treasuring this time in her life right now.
- More than anyone, cancer survivors tend to know what they want in life, and if someone or something isn’t serving them, they trust their instinct and move on. Life is short and it’s okay to be make strong choices and stand behind them for what is best for you.
The breast cancer survivor, who worked hard to build her confidence back after a mastectomy, was asked by a reporter at a recent THR event if she was ready for “Hot Hoda Summer.” The NYC-based news anchor admitted that she is indeed “treasuring” this time right now in her life. Co-host Jenna Bush Hager, 40, quipped to ET at the NYC fête that “it’s a feral girl summer and we’re leading the charge!”
Read MoreHey, whatever works, Hoda! Can we also mention that Hoda looks pretty amazing? The toned news broadcaster can even hold her own next to her dear friend JLO.
View this post on Instagram
Hoda and her ex-fiancé, financier Joel Schiffman, 64, announced their split in January after eight years together. The couple now amicably co-parent their two girls Haley, 5, and Hope, 3, whom they adopted when Hoda decided she still wanted to be a mother at 52 (after cancer threatened her fertility in her 40s). The TV personality has expressed that she is forever thankful for Joel for being there to help support her and make it happen.
In addition to appreciating her beautiful family, she realizes how much of a dream come true it Is to do what she does for a living, and makes sure to share her gratitude.
“I think there are moments in our jobs where we say to ourselves, ‘Wow, I get to do this. I get to sit across from someone.’ And it’s not lost on us,” Hoda shared over the people she gets to chat with professionally (most recently global star Harry Styles below). “And I think there’s a moment that you share with whomever you interview when they just kind of tell you the truth and you feel the truth in the room.”
“I feel like truth wins, man, and when you tell it, like, everybody feels that,” she added of those extra special interview moments with subjects like Viola Davis and Prince Harry.
Hoda’s Breast Cancer Battle
Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 when she was 43 years old. Doctors discovered lumps in her breast during a routine exam. She went through a mastectomy and was thankfully declared in remission. Hoda had never had a mammogram before, and this experience led her to become an advocate for breast cancer prevention and awareness, not to mention body positivity.
It took Hoda took her a good chunk of time to heal emotionally and physically after her surgery, and now she shares her story as an example that others can get through it, too.
Known for her positive and upbeat attitude on and off-screen, the loving mother is indeed the perfect person to cheerlead other survivors, but it’s also perfectly okay for her to look to others for support in this new chapter.
Sometimes it’s tough to follow your own advice, but we have a feeling that Hoda practices what she preaches in her personal life and has the strength to make it through this recent transition and start fresh—and it sounds like she’s taking it in strides.
More than anyone, cancer survivors tend to know what they want in life, and if someone or something isn’t serving them, they trust their instinct and move on. Life is short and it’s okay to be make strong choices and stand behind them for what is best for you.
Getting Back in the Dating Game As a Survivor
When there are children involved, as in this case, a break up can be handled responsibly if both parties respect one another and can put the kids needs’ first, while also honoring and acknowledging their own.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.