Hoda Kotb has shared a deeply personal moment that changed how she viewed motherhood.
Years ago, when she feared she had missed her chance to have children, Sandra Bullock’s decision to adopt her son Louis gave Kotb a new sense of hope.
That experience later influenced her own path to adoption and motherhood.
Sandra Bullock Gave Kotb New Hope
Kotb discussed the experience on her podcast, Making Space, during an episode released Tuesday, Sept. 8, featuring Nicole Kidman and Bullock. Kotb, 62, recalled a period about 10 years earlier when she believed having children was no longer possible for her.
At the time, Kotb said she felt upset because she thought she had “missed the window” to become a parent. She tried to accept that she could not have everything she wanted in life.
Then she saw a television report about Bullock adopting a baby from New Orleans.
Bullock had adopted Louis at age 45. After hearing the news, Kotb searched for Bullock’s age and realized they were the same age. The discovery brought her to tears and made her reconsider what she believed was still possible.
Kotb later contacted Bullock and asked what adoption and motherhood were really like. Bullock shared a simple but memorable story about life with Louis.
According to Kotb, Bullock told her that Louis would sing “Happy Birthday” in the backyard because he thought he was about to get cake. He would even pee while singing. Bullock described motherhood as the best thing she had ever done.
That conversation gave Kotb the encouragement she needed to move forward with adoption paperwork.
Kotb Later Became a Mother of Two
Kotb said Bullock’s story directly influenced her decision to continue pursuing motherhood. She even sent Bullock a text while traveling to pick up one of her daughters.
Kotb is now the mother of two daughters, Haley, 9, and Hope, 7, whom she welcomed through adoption.
“She changed the course of my life,” Kotb said, explaining that she now has her two daughters because of that moment. She also noted that she often thinks about how one conversation changed her path.
Bullock later adopted her daughter Laila, now 12. During the podcast conversation, the actress reflected on how easily people can place limits on their own hopes and plans.
“It’s easy to limit ourselves, our perspective and our wants and our desires,” Bullock said. She added that outside pressure can make those limits feel stronger. To counter that feeling, she said she reminds herself, “Stop it, it’s going to be amazing.”
Bullock Talks About Her Children
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Bullock has also spoken about her children while promoting “Practical Magic 2.” During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she revealed that her children have a small connection to the film.
Her kids appear “in voice and in spirit” during a scene in which her character, Sally, has her magic restored. Bullock explained that the first voices she hears are those of her children.
“You always hear your babies,” she said, describing how the film uses recordings of her children at different ages.
Kotb’s story highlights how one personal conversation can influence major life decisions. Bullock’s experience with adoption gave Kotb another way to view motherhood when she believed the opportunity had passed.
Their discussion also showed how both women have spoken openly about the unexpected moments that shaped their families. For Kotb, Bullock’s decision to adopt Louis became the encouragement that helped lead her to Haley and Hope.