Today host Hoda Kotb breaks down in tears live on air during emotional reunion with a surprise guest to mark her 60th birthday

Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Monday morning as her Today colleagues organized a surprise reunion for her live on air to mark her 60th birthday.

The TV host, who celebrated entering a new decade with her family at her Long Island home last Friday, fought back tears as Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin presented her with a montage of video messages from people whose lives she has touched.

As the clip played out, Hoda became particularly emotional when a man named Bart Conley popped up on the screen and introduced himself as the husband of a woman named Jill, who met Hoda in the Cayman Islands when she was fighting breast cancer.

As soon as she heard Bart's voice, Hoda - who was dressed in a bright orange blouse and dark blue denim jeans - quickly turned away from the camera and wiped her eyes as she attempted to compose herself as Savannah, 52, rubbed her arm and tried to console her.

As the story of Hoda and Jill's friendship played out onscreen, the mother-of-two was seen constantly wiping her eyes and taking deep breaths as it clearly brought back from painful memories of when Jill sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 38. 

Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Monday morning as her Today colleagues organized a surprise reunion for her live on air to mark her 60th birthday

The TV host couldn't hide her emotions when a man named Bart Conley popped up on the screen

Moments later, Hoda was left stunned by Craig and Savannah who revealed that Bart was actually live in the studio, along with a father-and-daughter duo - who met her years ago due to cancer - and a couple, who she surprised live on air with adoption news.

As Hoda greeted Bart, she gave him a long hug and sweetly pressed his head against hers before they shared a sweet story about the first time they met one another along with Jill.

Bart began: 'You were both going through breast cancer and the grace that you reached out to us and we always felt so close to you from the beginning, like a true friend, not like a celebrity on TV.

'I remember going to lunch with you and you two were hitting it off and I felt so comfortable and you sharing our story meant so, so much to us.'

Hoda added: 'Do you remember at that event at the Cayman Islands, I'll never forget it, Jill said to me, "I have X number of months to live," and so I brought her up and she said, I'll never forget, she pointed at you and she said, "I'm the luckiest person in the world,"' before her voice broke. 

'It's one of those things that's forever emblazoned on your heart. I remember what she said about you, it's beautiful,' Hoda continued.

Following Jill's death at the beginning of February 2016, Hoda took to Twitter - now known as X - and shared a photo of her with Bart and Jill which she captioned: 'I will miss my friend @JillsWish --- a brave fighter #heartbroken.'

Today began documenting Jill's story back in 2013 when a chance encounter led to her and Hoda's special friendship.

Hoda posted this picture of her with Bart and Jill when she learned that Jill had sadly passed away in February 2016

Hoda gave Bart a big hug when he surprised her in the Today studio on Monday morning 

Hoda was also surprised by a father-and-daughter duo named Devon and Leah Still, and a couple called Frank and Stacey Parrado, and their daughter, Addison (right)

Introduced to each other at a Cayman Islands gala to raise money and awareness for breast-cancer programs, Hoda was among event attendees to gravitate toward Jill's optimism.

Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 at the age of 43, and the following month, she underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and has since become an advocate for breast cancer awareness.

During a March 2023 episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she spoke about her decision to go public with her diagnosis and said: 'When I was diagnosed [in 2007], I wasn't going to say anything about it, and I wanted to forget about it, but someone encouraged me to say something.'

She continued by explaining that there were 'so many upsides' to going public with her diagnosis, but 'the one downside is people look at you with pity. And I have to say, for me personally, that's one of the hardest looks to ever get.'