Hoda Kotb, Who Became a Mom at 52, Gave This Parenting Advice to Andy Cohen

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Andy Cohen revealed a heartfelt conversation he had with Today's Hoda Kotb, as she gave him parenting advice that changed his life.

Cohen, 56, appeared on the Tuesday, January 7 episode of the talk show, where he chatted to Kotb, 60, about how she encouraged him to have children via surrogacy.

"The courage and strength that you gave me to have my kids later in life," Cohen said. "You and I had a very impactful conversation in the hallway at Radio Andy one day."

"I remember," Kotb replied.

Andy Cohen and Hoda Kotb attend 92nd Street Y Presents: Hoda Kotb and Andy Cohen In Conversation at 92nd Street Y on January 6, 2016 in New York City. He shared the parenting advice Kotb... Desiree Navarro/WireImage/Getty Images

"And you were like, 'It's right on time. It's okay,'" Cohen added. "Because I was worried about where I was in my life and my age and you really set me straight and that conversation was very impactful to me personally and I really thank you for that guidance."

Cohen welcomed his son, Benjamin Allen, in 2019, and his daughter, Lucy Eve, in 2022. The Watch What Happens Live host told Page Six in 2023 that Lucy was among the first babies to be born via gestational surrogacy in New York. The law went into effect in February 2021.

Meanwhile, Kotb has two adopted daughters: Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. Kotb previously revealed that her 2007 breast cancer treatment impacted her ability to have children, and she has since been open about her experience about becoming a parent at an older age.

"I see all the good parts about being an older mom. Like, I'm in my own skin, I know who I am, I've got much more patience and love and all that stuff," she said on Today in 2022.

Kotb's final day on Today is Friday, January 10, as she is stepping away from the show to spend more time with her children. Since this is the host's last week, guests and co-workers have provided her with loving tributes.

"I'm sleeping in," Kotb told People in October 2024 about her post-show plans. "I'm going to go to a 5:30 SoulCycle. I'm going to feed my kids breakfast. I'm going to get a hot cup of coffee. I am going to walk with them to school, which is going to be one of the most amazing things. Small, but amazing."