Karen Swensen: Last News

A big, happy family! Hoda Kotb gave fans a rare glimpse of how her daughter Hope is recovering after her recent hospital stay.

Hoda Kotb is a much-loved member of the Today family and so when she's not at work it's more than noticeable.MORE: Hoda Kotb delivers heartbreaking message following Texas school shootingAnd on Monday's show, the TV favorite was absent during the Memorial Day special, as was her co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.Instead, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones filled in, alongside Al Roker.VIDEO: Hoda Kotb's family life revealed Memorial Day is a bittersweet holiday as it honors military personal who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.MORE: Hoda Kotb talks difficult career goodbyes with Today co-starMORE: Hoda Kotb shares fears about being an older mom: 'It's scary'Hoda is likely to have taken the holiday off work in order to spend time with her young family.The star is a doting mom to daughters Haley and Hope, who she shares with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.Today's Hoda Kotb was absent from the show on Memorial DayThe pair announced their separation at the beginning of the year, which was amicable. They have remained good friends and are co-parenting their children in a happy environment.MORE: Hoda Kotb as you've never seen her before for special project with Today co-starsMORE: Hoda Kotb shares heartfelt statement about co-star's future on TodayThe former couple adopted Haley just a year into their relationship, after Hoda sat down with Joel and told him just how much it meant to her to become a mom.They went on to adopt Hope, whose middle name Catherine is a tribute to Hoda's best friend Karen Swensen's daughter.

Hoda Kotb is known for her loyalty and has a close-knit circle of friends, both in the public eye and out of the spotlight.MORE: Hoda Kotb left frustrated live on air by missed opportunity with co-starAnd this week, the kind-hearted star shone a light on her best friend, Karen Swensen, as she marked an end of an era.Karen retired on Wednesday and on her last day at work, Hoda shared a series of photos of her from over the year, alongside a heartfelt message.VIDEO: Today's Hoda Kotb announces split from fiancé Joel Schiffman She wrote: "Wow @karenswensen. Remember when you started at wwl (left)...

Hoda Kotb and her daughters had the sweetest Valentine’s Day surprise.“When you just get home from a long eye doctors appointment for the girls-- and look what is waiting at home! A valentines day Surprise courtesy of my sister Hala!,” the co-host captioned a post on her Instagram.In the video, Kotb and her daughters, Haley, 5, and Hope, 2, walk into a room filled with balloons. The proud mom takes one out of the bag as Haley exclaims, “It’s a unicorn.” In addition to the red and white balloons, there were cards and teddy bears.