Hoda Kotb teared up sharing an emotional tribute honoring her NBC colleague Richard Engel’s late 6-year-old son, Henry.
“All of us are sending our love to Richard, to Mary and to Theo,” the “Today” show co-host said Friday, referencing the 48-year-old chief foreign correspondent’s wife and toddler.
After sharing footage of Engel discussing his eldest child’s Rett syndrome diagnosis, Kotb added, “So many people watching our show see Richard standing in a very dangerous place covering something, unaware that at home, he was fighting what is the biggest battle.”
Kotb, 58, praised Mary Forrest as well, noting that the producer carried Henry “in a baby Bjorn all around the house … through a lot of his wife.”
When Kotb acknowledged the “outpouring” of support Engel has received in the wake of his tragedy, her co-host Sheinelle Jones clarified that it was coming from “around the world” and also “right here” in their studio.
NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel’s son Henry died at 6-years-old. Henry was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a genetic brain disorder that does not have a treatment or cure, as a toddler. pic.twitter.com/40hgaLoAnS
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 19, 2022
“We are just wrapping our arms around his family,” the “Wild Child” host, 44, said.
While Jones has yet to send well-wishes via social media, Kotb tweeted after Engel’s Thursday announcement that her heart “ache[d]” for him.
As for Savannah Guthrie, the 50-year-old Emmy winner posted a throwback photo of Henry reaching for her face.
“Dearest Henry, I will never forget your sweet spirit and the twinkle in your eye,” she tweeted.
The former attorney elaborated further via Instagram, calling the little one’s parents “amazing warriors.”
Guthrie wrote, “To me, you are the personification of what it means to be a parent — to love, adore, and delight in your child, and bring every ounce of your beings to their flourishing. You’re my heroes.”
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