Today host Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears Monday morning during an emotional interview with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner and her mother, Pat.
The mother-daughter duo joined Hoda, 59, and her co-host Savannah Guthrie in the studio after Carson Daly “begged” them to come on the show and participate in a cooking demonstration.
During the sweet chat, Hoda mentioned the passing of Pat’s husband William in March, saying, “Another thing we admire about you is that your husband recently passed away, and I can only imagine how hard it was to get out of bed, You just start another day, but one day you decided, “Today is the day.”
Pat replied: ‘Well, I had already decided before that it would be fine anyway. She was very worried about being a widow and one day I had an epiphany: “You’ll be okay.”
‘And I’ve really been good. “I miss him now and I really wanted to tell him that she was going to be on the Today show,” Pat continued as Hoda struggled to stay calm and was seen wiping tears from her eyes.
Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears on Monday’s episode of Today while doing an interview alongside Savannah Guthrie.
Jennifer Garner and her mother, Pat, appeared on the Today show and spoke about the actress’ late father, William.
Addressing her mother, Jennifer commented, “She loved how much people love you, so she would be there smiling,” as Savannah confirmed the couple were married for 59 years.
When Hoda brought up Jennifer’s sweet Instagram tribute to her father, which she posted on April 1, the Daredevil actress responded, “Oh yeah, I mean how lucky it is to grow up with parents like mine.” I’ve always been aware of it, my sisters and I are… we’re always very aware.’
Jennifer, who was previously married to Ben Affleck, praised her mother and shared her favorite things about her.
‘I mean, I have a very special mom. So, my mom doesn’t judge people or things or if things are happening to you. She has a gift for giving to people and seeing what people need and just quietly caring for them,’ Jennifer said as she took Pat’s hand.
“She’s also a mom who just doesn’t believe in guilt,” Jennifer added as Pat confirmed, “I don’t. Guilt is a useless emotion.
In April, Jennifer announced her father’s death in a touching Instagram post, telling her fans: “My dad passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace when he left us (did he Do we charge or scare him? Valid question).
‘While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85-year-old man who lived a wonderful, healthy life, I know that pain is inevitable and lurks in unexpected corners.
‘Today is to give thanks. We are grateful for Dad’s kind demeanor and quiet strength. For how he joked with a mischievous smile and for the way he played the role of girl daddy, always patient. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.
Pat admitted she misses her husband and was “very worried” about becoming a widow.
Jennifer pictured with her parents, Pat and William, and her two sisters, Susannah and Melissa.
William, who passed away in March 2024, was married to Jennifer’s mother Pat for 59 years.
‘We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope.
‘Your care expanded Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite places: surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering on his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat and, most of all, with his wife of 59 years, our mom.
‘There is a lot to say about my dad, my sisters and I will never stop talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us, but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather that he was, as well as the loving legacy he left.
