Having a parent friend to turn to during life’s challenging moments is priceless. Whether you are dealing with teenage drama, or having to watch the exact same toddler show every single morning, or you’re struggling to conceive — or anything in between — other parents just get it. And their support means the world! Even celebrity parents need advice from their friends from time to time, and one celebrity parent apparently influenced Andy Cohen to become a father “later in life.” The Bravo TV host opened up about a life-changing conversation he had before finding the strength to go through surrogacy and become a single parent, and it’s such an emotional story.
The Watch What Happens Live host appeared on an episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna on Tuesday, where he recalled a special moment where co-host Hoda Kotb inspired him to let go of his fear and become a father. While listing things he admires about Kotb, Cohen said, per PEOPLE, “The courage and strength that you gave me to have my kids later in life.”
“You and I had a very impactful conversation in the hallway at Radio Andy one day,” the 56-year-old continued.
Kotb, 60, responded, “I remember.”
But for those of us who weren’t there, Cohen shared the sweet story. “And you were like, ‘It’s right on time. It’s okay,’” he said. “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.”
How incredibly special is that?! Kotb was speaking from the heart and from experience — she became a mom at age 52 when she adopted daughter Haley Joy, and again two years later when she adopted daughter Hope Catherine with ex Joel Schiffman. The girls are now 7 and 5. For his part, Cohen went on to welcome his first child, son Ben, 5, in 2019 via surrogate, at 50-years-old. His daughter Lucy, 2, was born via surrogate three years later.
In a Dec. 2023 episode of Today, per Us Weekly, Kotb shared that she is “so happy and fulfilled with my decision [to be a parent] that I don’t feel an ounce of shame.”
“I do not care,” Kotb continued about being an older parent. “I’ve heard from different avenues that sometimes people are like, ‘Wow, you did that this late, wow.’ My dad died when I was in college. You get your parent for as long as you get your parent. And they lay a foundation that you cannot shake.”
She added about parenthood, “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
And Cohen seems to feel the same way. In May 2023, he told his friend Anderson Cooper for CBS News that parenting “has changed me in every way.” He continued, “I mean, I think my priorities have completely shifted. I think my sense of accomplishment has totally changed. And even just getting your kids breakfast and getting them out to school, when I drop him off at school, I’m like, ‘You did it, dude! That was a rough two-and-a-half hours, you know?’”
We love seeing celebrities embracing parenthood in whatever unique way it looks like for them. Every parent is different, and nobody is guaranteed time, so why not follow your dream of welcoming a child if you can? Consider us your mom friend, encouraging you to get through this, no matter what challenges lie ahead!
Before you go, check out these celebrities who have talked about the joys and challenges of being older parents.
