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Hoda Kotb Tore Up a Letter by a Woman Who Mom-Shamed Her for Having Kids at Her Age

From Good Housekeeping

  • Today show cohosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager opened up about others mom-shaming them.

  • Hoda shared that she was once sent a letter criticizing her for having children in her fifties.

  • Fans rallied around her on Instagram, sharing kind and supportive words.


On September 17, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager got candid on the Today show while discussing mom-shaming during the coronavirus pandemic.

The two mamas took the opportunity to share their own experiences, including one particularly mean letter that was addressed to Hoda. As viewers know, the 56-year-old has two daughters with her fiancé Joel Schiffman: Haley Joy, 3, and Hope Catherine, 1.

“I got a physical letter in the mail, a letter that came to my address, from a woman who wrote, ‘Who do you think you are having kids at that age?’” Hoda said. “I literally read it and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I can't believe someone put a stamp on it and sent it.’”

She continued: “I literally tore it up. I felt horrible in that moment because there is something that bothers you inside about that. But then I thought, ‘Who would take a piece of paper and a pen and write like that and fold it and put it in the envelope with a stamp and go to the trouble of mailing it?’ It took effort.”

Jenna, who has three children of her own, felt for Hoda and sympathized with her. The 38-year-old called for parents to support one another because "it ain't easy."

“That stranger took the time to write something so mean when she doesn't even know what you're like as a mother,” Jenna said. “She's never seen you hold those little girls. That infuriates me. And I think why it's so hard is that as parents we're already questioning ourselves constantly.”

Without hesitation, Hoda's fans flooded Today’s Instagram comments section with kind, loving words and encouraged her to not listen to the haters.

“You’re an inspiration and I’m glad you dared to be a mother at your age! You give us hope!” one person wrote. “Hoda, I feel sorry someone felt the need to be so cruel. You are an awesome mom and I love hearing all the stories about the littles. 💕,” another added. “You are amazing and thank you for sharing your life with all of us [we] appreciate and adore you. ❤️,” a different fan commented.

Sending love to Hoda and all parents!

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