How Hoda Kotb Stopped Feeling "Unworthy" of Motherhood

 Hoda Kotb is feeling stronger than ever.

The Today co-anchor is on a journey of self-discovery through her Making Space podcast, one which she talks to people who inspire her with a journey of self-discovery and resilience with Maria Shriver, Rosie, Perez, Steve, Harvey and Shania Twain to share their stories of strength. 

For Hoda, though, her main sources strength are her daughters Haley Joy, 6, and Hope Catherine, 3. as "The shining stars of my life," she described her girls in an exclusive interview with E! News' Francesca Amiker. "I am blessed beyond measure for me."

However, Hoda admitted to once feeling unworthy of motherhood before she adopted Haley in February 2017, adding Hope to their family two years later.

"Sometimes I wonder like, 'How did this happened? How did I get this?'" she explained. "I used to feel almost undeserving of it. But I don't anymore. Something happened within me where I was like, 'You know what, I'm worthy of these children, I'm worthy of myself. I'm enough just as I am. I will nurture and love these little girls, as long as God lets me have them for as long as I'll be here.'"

And Hoda shared that she expresses gratitude for her life every morning by writing in her journal—a practice she's done since 2016—because she gets "strength knowing that each day I get another try."

"Let me find the joy, the love and the lessons, let me see those things and not miss them," the veteran journalist explained of her commitment to her morning pages routine. "So I feel like each day I get that. So I'm grateful for today. And tomorrow, I'm going to be grateful for tomorrow. I'm not looking down the road, I'm just going to be like, I get to do this. That's enough for me."

While Hoda stressed that she feels very "blessed" in her life, her Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager has been on a mission find her a partner following her breakup with her fiancé Joel Schiffman in January 2022.

Unsatisfied with her matchmaking skills thus far, Jenna recruited their recent guest Reese Witherspoon to assist her in finding a new romantic interest for Hoda.

To help them out, Hoda shared the characteristics she is looking for, saying, "My dream partner would be authentic and would be a seeker."

While she added that she "couldn't give a rip anymore" about the physical aspects, she admitted. "I mean, come on, you have to be a jock! Confidence trumps hair every time."

Making Space with Hoda Kotb is available wherever you listen to podcasts.  

(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)