Advertisement
UK markets close in 7 hours 45 minutes
  • FTSE 100

    7,731.31
    +8.76 (+0.11%)
     
  • FTSE 250

    19,471.54
    -14.99 (-0.08%)
     
  • AIM

    737.01
    +0.38 (+0.05%)
     
  • GBP/EUR

    1.1697
    -0.0007 (-0.06%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2687
    -0.0042 (-0.33%)
     
  • Bitcoin GBP

    50,202.38
    -3,163.75 (-5.93%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,149.42
    +32.33 (+0.63%)
     
  • DOW

    38,790.43
    +75.63 (+0.20%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    82.53
    -0.19 (-0.23%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,153.20
    -11.10 (-0.51%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,003.60
    +263.20 (+0.66%)
     
  • HANG SENG

    16,529.48
    -207.62 (-1.24%)
     
  • DAX

    17,956.99
    +24.31 (+0.14%)
     
  • CAC 40

    8,149.09
    +0.95 (+0.01%)
     

Jenna Bush Hager Tearfully Credits Hoda Kotb for Her Big Break: 'I'll Never Forget It'

Jenna Bush Hager is crediting none other than cohost Hoda Kotb for giving her her big break.

During Today with Hoda & Jenna on Wednesday, Hager and Kotb reflected on the people who helped them kick-start their careers after discussing a viral LinkedIn post from a woman who went through more than 300 rejections before landing her dream job.

Kotb, 57, shared that she experienced several rejections before finally getting hired by Stan Sandroni to begin her journalism career.

"You just need one person to say you can do it, and my one guy's name was Stan Sandroni, and he was in Greenville, Mississippi. He hired me when no one else would," Kotb said. "This guy believed, and that's so shocking because it was like, you just need the one."

ADVERTISEMENT

Hager, 39, cut in to ask Kotb, "Do you know who my one would be?" before telling her: "You."

RELATED: Jenna Bush Hager Jokes About Breaking Savannah Guthrie's High Heels: 'Oops I Did It Again'

The cohosts immediately became emotional as Hager explained that she had been working at Today for years before Kotb invited her into a host chair.

"I know that sounds cheesy, and I almost didn't say it," Hager said. "But I was here for years, doing a lot of different things, and I worked really hard, and I had producers say, 'Well, you're a correspondent. That's where you are.' And that was good. That was what I wanted to be. I wanted to tell stories."

Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager
Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager

Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"You asked me to fill in with you. And I'll never forget it, so my one is you," she said, as Kotb whipped out some tissues for them both.

In April, Hager shared a sweet tribute to Kotb to mark the second anniversary of their show.

RELATED: The Today Show Crew's Best Instagrams from the Tokyo Olympics and Beyond

"You know when pictures pop up of years gone by—big days and small moments which make up a life of love and purpose? They pop up and remind you just how very blessed you are. They take you back to a day and make you smile—make you nostalgic—maybe make you a little teary," Hager wrote on Instagram, sharing photos from the first day of their hour of Today.

"Well, @hodakotb these popped up this morning. Two years ago we started this show together. I remember how excited we both were. I remember this hug. I want to say thank you, thank you thank you for your generosity or time, love and spirit," she continued.

"I am reminded of your terrific friendship and partnership on this day and every one. Happy Anniversary! PS—to the best, most talented staff ever. How lucky we are!!! Your brilliance and enthusiasm amazes. @hodaandjenna @todayshow."