*Surprise, surprise. Guess who now has a baby at 52? That would NBC host Hoda Kotb. She made the announcement on the “Today” show Tuesday morning. Hoda’s new child, via adoption, is a daughter named Haley Joy.
“She’s a Valentine’s baby,” Kotb said, calling in to the NBC morning show to discuss the big news. “She is the love of my life.”
Hoda also called the show back during its fourth hour, which she normally co-hosts with Kathie Lee Gifford, and explained the inspiration behind her new daughter’s name.
“Haley is because of Halley’s Comet,” Kotb told Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager, referencing the famous short-period comet — which is visible to the naked eye from Earth every 75 years.
“It was one of those things where I just picture her sailing through the sky.”
Kotb — who is now in a relationship with Joel Schiffman was previously married to former University of New Orleans tennis coach Burzis Kanga. TShe and Kanga divorced in 2007 after two years of marriage and had no children.
READ RELATED STORY: THE REAL’: HODA KOTB IS ‘GETTING AN APARTMENT’ WITH BOYFRIEND JOEL SCHIFFMAN
My girl ❤❤❤ #haleyjoy pic.twitter.com/CauLYRja3e
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) February 21, 2017
But it’s obvious Kotb always wanted to be a mother and now she is.
“You know how many times I walked down the street and one of the questions people always ask me is, ‘Oh do you have kids?’ ” Kotb remembered. “And I always say, ‘No, I don’t.’ And it’s one of those things where it’s kind of always a little bit of an ouch and an ache.”
That won’t happen anymore — though Kotb admitted it did happen just this week.
“The other day I was walking down the street to get some cream for her, and someone asks, ‘Are you a mom?’ I couldn’t say it out loud for her, but in my head I was like, ‘I am a mom! I am!’ ” she joked.
A very happy Koda Hotb added:
“Can you believe I have a daughter?” she asked. “I didn’t know that my heart can feel like this. With all the love I’ve ever had in my life — I’ve had the love of a wonderful mom, a wonderful man, the best siblings — I never ever imagined that I could feel this kind of … it’s like a warm hand on my heart. She’s learning up against me and I’m over the moon.”
“This is a moment in my life I never thought would happen,” Kotb continued. “And here it is happening to me. Wow.”
Congratulations to Hoda, Joel and baby Haley Joy from EURweb.
So thrilled for @hodakotb and her precious daughter, Haley Joy!! She will be the best mommy ever! We love you, Hoda, enjoy every moment!❤️❤️
— Kathie Lee Gifford (@KathieLGifford) February 21, 2017
Can’t. Stop. Crying. So thrilled for you , @hodakotb. Haley Joy’s life will be defined by *JOY* with you as a mama. Love!
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) February 21, 2017
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