Hoda Kotb Surprises Jenna Bush Hager Live on “Today” for Her Birthday: 'I Cannot Believe You Came!'

Jenna Bush Hager had a sweet reunion on Tuesday, Nov. 25, which also happened to mark her 44th birthday.

The TV personality got both a virtual and in-person greeting from her former co-host Hoda Kotb on her show Today with Jenna & Friends. 

This week’s celebrity co-host is Andy Cohen, who first shared a birthday video message for Bush Hager from Kotb, 61. 

“JBH, good morning! It’s 5 a.m. just getting ready to start the day and guess what was on my calendar? It’s your birthday!” Kotb says in the early morning clip. “Happy birthday, my girl. I bet they’re gonna have a huge, beautiful celebration for you. I love you. I wish I could be with you, but know that I’m with you in spirit.”

However, the video was all a ruse as Kotb was actually waiting backstage to surprise Bush Hager. She walked out onto the studio stage holding a plate of the Texas native’s favorite snack — chips and queso. 

“Is that why you asked me if I’d been talking to Hoda?” Bush Hager asked Cohen as she jumped up to hug her longtime friend and former co-worker. 

“A little,” the Bravo host revealed. 

Bush Hager looked stunned by the surprise, holding Kotb tight and declaring, “I cannot believe you’re here. I cannot believe you came.”

Kotb stuck around for a short interview segment after the surprise, sharing some details about her upcoming gig co-hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for NBC alongside Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker. She also spoke about her Joy 101 wellness app. 

“What you’re doing is amazing, but we miss you!” Bush Hager said. 

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Kotb exited her role at the Today show and on Today with Hoda & Jenna in January. The longtime journalist made the decision to leave the morning show in order to get in more time with her daughters Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 6. 

But Kotb has returned to the Today show numerous times since her exit. Most recently, she interviewed Jay Leno for the show, discussing his life as a caretaker to his wife Mavis, who has dementia.