Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager is taking her love for cats to the next level—by hosting a feline wedding.
On Thursday’s episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, the 42-year-old television personality announced that her two cats, Hollywood and Mango, are set to “tie the knot” this weekend.
“We’re having a ceremony!” Bush Hager declared after her co-host Hoda Kotb reacted with delighted surprise.
Meet the Bride and Groom
Bush Hager first introduced Hollywood, a sleek and photogenic kitten, in January 2023 after adopting her around Christmas—despite suffering from cat allergies.
“Do you see why we call her Hollywood? She’s beautiful,” she said in an Instagram post at the time, affectionately dubbing the cat “Holly Wood Hager.”
A year later, the family expanded with the arrival of Mango Mellow, a fluffy white kitten gifted to Bush Hager’s 8-year-old daughter, Poppy, in December 2023.
“I didn’t name him. He’s Poppy’s—I can’t go inside that brilliant brain,” Bush Hager joked, explaining that the feline’s marshmallow-like appearance inspired the name.
Feline Family Dynamics
While Hollywood initially adjusted well to her new “baby brother,” Bush Hager’s 10-year-old daughter, Mila, was less impressed by their cuddling habits.
“Mila was like, ‘Eww, what is spooning?’… She thought it sounded nasty,” Bush Hager recalled with a laugh.
Despite her allergies—which required extra doses of Zyrtec—the mother of three (including 4-year-old son Hal) embraces her role as a self-proclaimed “cat lady.”
A Lifelong Love for Cats
Bush Hager’s affection for felines dates back to childhood, even though her allergies made them a “forbidden fruit.”
“From the time we were born, we had a cat,” she said, referencing her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, who owned a library-inspired cat named Dewey. “I would sit there with my eyes swollen shut—and I didn’t care.”
Now, with Hollywood and Mango’s upcoming nuptials, Bush Hager is proving that love—and antihistamines—conquer all.
Related topics: