You’ve seen the big, toothy grin and the wet-eyed morning segments. Hoda Kotb has this way of making everyone feel like they’re part of her inner circle. But if you start digging for hoda kotb parents photos, you’re actually looking at the blueprint of how she became, well, Hoda.
Most people just see the "Today" show star. They don't see the Egyptian immigrants who landed in Oklahoma with nothing but a couple of degrees and a lot of grit.
Who are Sami and Abdel?
Hoda’s parents aren’t just background characters. Her mother, Sameha Kotb (everyone calls her Sami), is basically a legend in Hoda’s Instagram feed. If you’ve seen the photos of a chic, older woman with impeccable style holding Hoda’s daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, that’s Sami.
She worked at the Library of Congress for years. Think about that. Moving from Cairo to the U.S. and ending up at one of the most prestigious intellectual institutions in the world.
Then there’s her father, Abdel Kader Kotb. Finding photos of him is a bit harder because he passed away so young. He was a fossil energy specialist—basically a brainiac—who was even listed in the Who’s Who of Technology. He died in 1986 when Hoda was just a junior in college at Virginia Tech. He was only 51.
The Mystery of the Hoda Kotb Parents Photos
Why are people so obsessed with finding these pictures? Honestly, it’s probably because Hoda talks about her "roots" constantly. She’s proud. She’s Egyptian-American, and she doesn't hide it.
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When you see a photo of Hoda and Sami together, the resemblance is kind of wild. It’s in the eyes. Sami is often seen in Hoda's social media posts at birthday parties or holiday gatherings, usually wearing something more stylish than most people half her age. Hoda even jokes that her mom is her unofficial fashion stylist.
- Sami Kotb: The "Tata" (Arabic for grandma) who is always there for the grandkids.
- Abdel Kader Kotb: The hard-working father who Hoda credits for her work ethic.
- The Vibe: Their house in Virginia was "red, white, and blue," according to Hoda, but they never lost that Egyptian soul.
The Loss That Changed Everything
It’s heavy, but you can’t talk about her parents without talking about her dad’s death. Hoda has been really open about how losing him at 21 shattered her world.
There aren't many public "paparazzi" style photos of him because he died before Hoda was a household name. Most hoda kotb parents photos featuring Abdel are grainy, beautiful vintage snapshots Hoda shares on anniversaries or Father’s Day.
She often says that even though he was only in her life for two decades, those years gave her a "foundation" that lasted forever. It’s why she wasn’t afraid to become a mother in her 50s. She knew that the quality of time matters way more than the quantity.
Life at the Library of Congress and Beyond
Sami Kotb is a powerhouse. You’ll see her in photos from "Today" show segments where she’s sharing family recipes. She’s not just a "celeb mom"—she’s a woman who had a full, robust career of her own. Working at the Library of Congress isn't a "show up and sit there" kind of job. It requires serious organization and intellect.
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Hoda’s brother, Adel, and sister, Hala, also pop up in these family photos. It’s a tight-knit group. When Hoda went through breast cancer in 2007, Sami was the one standing by the hospital bed.
Seeing the Heritage
If you look at the photos of Hoda’s family trips to Egypt, you see a different side of her. She’s mentioned that in Cairo, "Hoda" is as common as "Jane."
The photos of her cousins and extended family in Egypt show a mix of cultures. Some wear veils, some don't. Hoda has talked about how her parents' move to the U.S. gave her a life of "guidance" (which is what Hoda means in Arabic).
Where to Find Authentic Photos
Don't fall for the weird AI-generated stuff or random "tribute" videos on YouTube that use stock footage. If you want the real deal:
- Hoda’s Instagram (@hodakotb): This is the gold mine. She posts "Tata" Sami all the time.
- Hoda’s Books: In her autobiography Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee, she includes actual family album photos that you won't find anywhere else.
- Today.com Archives: They often run "Mother’s Day" or "Family" specials where they dig up old home movies and stills.
Why It Matters
People look for these photos because they want to see the "human" side of the person who wakes them up every morning. We want to see if she looks like her mom (she does) and if her dad looked like a "fossil energy specialist" (he looked like a very distinguished, kind man).
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It’s about connection.
Hoda didn't just appear out of thin air. She’s the product of two people who took a massive leap of faith in the 1960s. They chose Oklahoma. They chose Virginia. And they chose to raise a daughter who would eventually tell the whole world their story.
If you’re looking for a specific photo of her father, your best bet is to scroll back through her Father’s Day posts from June. She almost always shares a vintage shot of Abdel Kader there. For Sami? Just look at any recent birthday post for Haley or Hope. "Tata" is usually right in the middle of the action, probably wearing something fabulous.
Next Steps for You
- Check Hoda's Instagram specifically around August (her birthday) or May (Mother's Day) for the highest density of family uploads.
- Look for the "Today" segment titled "Hoda’s mom Sami shares her favorite recipes" to see her mother’s personality in motion.
- Read her memoir if you want the full context behind the grainy black-and-white photos of her early childhood in Oklahoma and Egypt.