Hoda Kotb Plans Birthday Surprise for Former ‘Today’ Colleague

Hoda Kotb still has lots of love for her Today family, even the members who didn’t appear on screen.

Kotb famously stepped away from the NBC morning show in January 2025 after nearly 20 years to prioritize her two daughters, Haley and Hope. In the year since her departure, Kotb has released her latest book, launched her own wellness company, and returned to Today as a fill-in host and to share special segments and celebrity interviews.

One of Kotb’s closest Today coworkers was her driver, Eddie, who picked her up and drove her to the show’s 30 Rockefeller Center studio each morning. Kotb revealed that the pair are still close in a Monday, September 14, Instagram post, as she and her kids threw Eddie a special birthday surprise.

“Happy birthday to the best! Eddie! We love you,” Kotb captioned the clip, which saw her and her daughters sing “Happy Birthday” for Eddie as he entered their home. The family of three decorated their kitchen with festive decorations and surprised him with a birthday cake.

Fans sent Eddie their own birthday wishes in the post’s comments. “Happy birthday! Eddie was Hoda’s driver. He took her to work early every morning around 4:00 a.m. when she anchored Today,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Wow Happy Day For Eddie i wish i could go to work for ms Hoda and have a birthday too your so fortunate!!!”

Someone else shared, “Happy Birthday Eddie!!! You are so lucky to spark so much joy to Hodie!!!! I bet you’re the best.” A different person posted, “Very sweet to celebrate Eddie’s bday! Happy Birthday Eddie!” A separate commenter stated, “Happy Birthday Eddie. thanks for being there for Hoda and the girls.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)

During an April 2024 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, Jenna Bush Hager clarified to viewers that Kotb and Eddie’s relationship is platonic. “We should just say, Eddie drives you [to work],” she said at the time, per Us Weekly. “People thought he was your boyfriend for a minute.”

Related

Hoda Kotb Gets Quizzed by Sandra Bullock Over Potential New Romance

Bush Hager said Eddie was aware of the romantic speculation surrounding himself and Kotb. “I saw him yesterday and I was like, ‘What’s up, Eddie?’ And he was like, ‘Can you believe it?'” she said. “And you love him, you’ve worked with him for many years.”

On the show, Kotb said she refers to her driver as “my Eddie,” after which Bush Hager noted, “He’s your Eddie, but that didn’t mean he’s your romantic Eddie.”

Kotb shared a clip of one of her and Eddie’s early morning car rides via Instagram in April 2024, during which he surprised her by playing the song “YA YA” by Beyoncé. “Eddie picks me up every day… And he just made my day… Check out my experience this morning,” she wrote. “This happened five minutes ago… Lucky me. I love you eddie xo.”

Kotb followed up the post by sharing a selfie she snapped with Eddie, captioning the Instagram pic, “This is my Eddie!”

Today, Weekdays, 7 am/6c, NBC