Today host Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears on Monday morning during an emotional interview with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner and her mom, Pat.
The mother-and-daughter duo joined Hoda, 59, and her cohost, Savannah Guthrie, in the studio after Carson Daly ‘begged’ them to come on the show and partake in a cooking demonstration.
During the sweet chat, Hoda mentioned the passing of Pat’s husband William in March and said: ‘Another thing we admire about you is your husband passed a little bit ago, and I can only imagine how hard it was to get out of bed, to just start another day, but one day you just decided, “Today’s the day.”‘
Pat replied: ‘Well I pretty much decided anyway, before, that I would be all right. I was so worried about being a widow and then one day I had an epiphany, “You will be alright.”
‘And I really have been alright. Now, I miss him and I so wanted to tell him I was gonna be on the Today show,’ Pat continued as Hoda struggled to keep it together and was seen wiping away tears from her eyes.
Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears on Monday’s episode of Today as she conducted an interview alongside Savannah Guthrie
Jennifer Garner and her mom, Pat, appeared on the Today show and spoke about the actress’ late father, William
Turning to her mom, Jennifer commented: ‘He loved how much people love you, so he would be right there smiling,’ as Savannah confirmed the couple were married for 59 years.
When Hoda mentioned Jennifer’s sweet Instagram tribute to her father, which she posted on April 1, the Daredevil actress replied: ‘Oh yeah, I mean how lucky to grow up with parents like mine. I’ve always been aware of it, my sisters and I are… we’re always really aware.’
Jennifer, who was previously married to Ben Affleck, was full of praise for her mom and shared her favorite things about her.
‘I mean, I have a pretty special mom. So, my mom is not judgmental of people or of things or if things are happening to you. She is just kind of gifted at giving to people and seeing what people need and just quietly taking care of them,’ Jennifer said as she held Pat’s hand.
‘She also is a mom who just doesn’t believe in guilt,’ Jennifer added as Pat confirmed: ‘I do not. Guilt is a useless emotion.’
Back in April, Jennifer announced the death of her father via a touching Instagram post and told her fans: ‘My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question.)
‘While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.
‘Today is for gratitude. We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.
Pat admitted that she misses her husband and was ‘so worried’ about being 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 mom Pat for 59 years
‘We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope.
‘Your care extended Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots— surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and— most of all—next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.
‘There is so much to say about my dad— my sisters and I will never be done 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 he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.’
