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

Mar. 15, 2025

Savannah Ludwig, Hoda Kotb, Aubrey and Jason Ludwig on Jan. 7, 2025 in New York City.Photo:NBC

NBC

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, during Kotb’s last week titled“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 forged a special bond with the girls’ late mother, Erin.

Erin and Kotb connected when they shared their separate breast cancer journeys with one another.Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. In 2016, the television host and theTodayshow then hosted the #PinkPowerTODAY series, which celebrated women around the nation who were diagnosed with breast cancer.

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

Hoda Kotb on Jan. 7, 2025 in New York City.NBC

Now, in celebration of Kotb’s time on theTodayshow, her co-anchorSavannah Guthriesurprised her with an appearance from 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 stuffed animal bears for Hoda’s daughters,Hope, 5, and Haley, 7.

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

“We would not miss this for the world,” Jason said. “When we first got the call that we were asked to come back, [I] sat with the girls, we talked, and without a doubt, we all decided we wanted to come back and be here for you, Hoda. You have 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 over your career, and helped out.”

Savannah Ludwig, Hoda Kotb, Aubrey Ludwig on Jan. 7, 2025 in New York City.NBC

Jason continued to note that his family support system — including his dad, brother, sister, cousins, and girlfriend — assisted him in raising his daughters.

“My girlfriend has been there for me, and I couldn’t do it without her,” he said. Jason added that Erin is “still brought up in conversations." Adding, “She’s still very alive in our house and in our memories.”

“I can’t believe this moment happened. You 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 pretty cool.”

“Oh, whoa,” Kotb said at the same time. “I will treasure this bracelet," she said before telling the family she loves them and thanked them for their appearance.

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Kotb’s final episode ofTodayandToday with Hoda and Jennawill air on Friday, Jan. 10. TheToday show airs weekdays on NBC (beginning at 7 a.m. ET).

source: people.com