Andy Cohen told Hota Kotb that she was one of his inspirations for having kids later in life, giving him the resolution to become a first-time dad at the age of 50.
The Watch What Happen Live host, 56, made the confession during a Tuesday, January 7, appearance on Today With Hoda and Jenna, helping take part in Hoda’s final week on the show. Andy made the fatherhood revelation when discussing the various things he loves about the veteran broadcaster, 60.
“The courage and strength that you gave me to have my kids later in life,” Andy shared as something he admired so much about Hoda.
“You and I had a very impactful conversation in the hallway at Radio Andy one day,” the Bravo personality recalled, to which Hoda replied, “I remember.”
“And you were like, ‘It’s right on time. It’s OK.’ 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,” Andy gushed.
The St. Louis, Missouri, native stunned and elated fans when he revealed on Watch What Happens Live‘s December 20, 2018, episode that he was going to become a first-time father in the new year.
“Tonight, I want you to be the first to know that after many years of careful deliberation, a fair amount of prayers and the benefit of science, if all goes according to plan, in about six weeks’ time, I am gonna become a father … thanks to a wonderful surrogate who is carrying my future,” Andy revealed to his viewers and guests Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, Kyle Richards, Ramona Singer and Teresa Giudice.
“Family means everything to me, and having one of my own is something that I have wanted in my heart for my entire life,” he continued. “And, though it’s taken me longer than most to get there, I cannot wait for what I envision will be the most rewarding chapter yet.”
Andy was 50 when son Ben was born on February 4, 2019. He loved being a father so much that the Glitter Every Day author welcomed a second child, daughter Lucy, three years later.
The Real Housewives franchise executive producer dropped the news in an April 29, 2022, Instagram post with a photo holding his newborn. “HERE’S LUCY!!!!! Meet my daughter, Lucy Eve Cohen! She’s 8 pounds 13 oz and was born at 5:13 pm in New York City!!! Her big brother can’t wait to meet her!” he wrote in the caption.
Andy added, “Thank you to my rock star surrogate (ALL surrogates are rockstars, by the way) and everyone who helped make this miracle happen. I’m so happy.”
Hoda became a later in life mom at the age of 52 when she adopted her first child, daughter Haley, in 2017. Two years later, the Oklahoma native added another adopted daughter, Hope, to her family.
The I’ve Loved You Since Forever author cited wanting to be present to raise her young daughters as one of the reasons she chose to leave Today during her departure announcement in September 2024.
“Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” Hoda said. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”
The following month during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hoda explained, “You know what, you just have a feeling when you watch them grow. I was like, ‘They need a little more of me, and I need more of them.’ And, so, I think it’s all going to work out beautifully.”
Hoda’s final day as the co-anchor of Today and cohost of Today With Hoda and Jenna is on Friday, January 10.
