Hoda Kotb reveals she is 'heartbroken' over New Orleans attack after living there for six years
- Hoda lived in Louisiana from 1992 until 1999 while working for CBS affiliate WWL
- The 60-year-old said New Orleans 'is the closest to a hometown I've ever felt'
- READ MORE: Haunting detail in photo of New Orleans terrorist's crashed truck
Hoda Kotb has expressed her sadness over the tragic New Orleans terror attack this week as she revealed she is 'heartbroken' for her former home.
The 60-year-old TV host, who spent the holidays at her new house in suburban New York, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a photo of the New Orleans emblem with the date of January 1, 2025.
'Praying for my city. Heartbroken,' she captioned the post alongside a broken heart emoji.
Ten people were killed and dozens injured in the early hours of Wednesday when US Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street before getting out of the vehicle and firing a gun.
On Thursday, investigators said they believe multiple people were involved in the terror attack and authorities are now looking into people of interest.
Hoda's 2.6 million followers were quick to like and comment on her post, with many people sharing their own heartache and fondness for New Orleans.
Hoda Kotb has expressed her sadness over the tragic New Orleans terror attack this week as she revealed she is 'heartbroken' for her former home
Hoda shared this image of the New Orleans emblem and said she was 'praying for my city'
'Praying with you, Hoda. My parents were both born and raised there and just would be heartbroken by this,' one person commented.
Another wrote: 'Dearest Hoda - thank you for bringing your delightful spirit to today's parade, while supporting your dear home state. You are an incredible light and humanitarian.'
A third person said, 'Horrible - my heart is with you,' and a fourth wrote: 'It is tragic.'
Someone else commented: 'I thought of you right away... turned to watch you and Al on the rose parade. News report was on.'
A different Instagram user added: 'Thank you Hoda and thank you for holding it together for the Rose Parade, I'm going to miss seeing you on TV, but I'm so excited for your next chapter! I met you in Nola in April, you're so sweet and genuine.'
'So so heartbreaking!' someone else commented, while another added: 'My heart breaks for you and your New Orleans.'
Hoda lived in New Orleans from 1992 until 1998, when she was an anchor and reporter for CBS affiliate WWL.
Back in 2023, the mother-of-two opened up about her soft spot for New Orleans and said she wants her daughters Haley, seven, and Hope, four, to love it just as much as she does.
An officer walks down Bourbon Street, which is where the terror attack took place in New Orleans on New Year's Day
Hoda was all smiles during a trip to New Orleans with Jenna Bush Hager last year
'It's the closest to a hometown I've ever felt,' she told Southern Living, adding: 'There's a magnetism about New Orleans that grabs you right out of the gate.'
Referring to her young kids, she said: 'I want them to know New Orleans - to love the city and for this to be part of their lives because it's such an important part of mine.
'I want them to see what it's like to be front and center at the parade,' she continued.
The TV star takes her daughters to Louisiana regularly and describes New Orleans as having a 'real community.'
