Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager shared an emotional update about her family’s beloved cat, Hollywood, who went missing this summer—a loss that has deeply affected her 11-year-old daughter, Mila.
During Wednesday’s episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Bush Hager, 42, revealed that Hollywood—a Christmas gift to Mila—disappeared during a birthday party at their home. With children frequently going in and out, the door was left open, and the cat slipped away.
“This summer, there were beautiful moments, but also one heartbreaking thing: our beloved cat Hollywood Hager went missing,” Bush Hager said, admitting she struggled with guilt over the incident.
Despite months of searching—including leaving their door unlocked in hopes of Hollywood’s return—the family has been unable to locate their pet. “We’ve done everything we could,” she told co-host Hoda Kotb.
A Silver Lining: Bonding Through Grief
The loss, however, brought Bush Hager and Mila closer. For the first few nights after Hollywood vanished, Mila slept in her mother’s room, leading to heartfelt conversations about love, loss, and healing.
“I told my husband, ‘Maybe this happened so Mila and I could bond before she enters middle school,’” Bush Hager recalled. “Some might say, ‘It’s just a cat,’ but watching your child’s heart break is hard.”
A New Chapter: Welcoming a Kitten
Months later, the family is preparing to adopt a new kitten. Mila, who remains deeply attached to Hollywood, met the new pet last Sunday and hasn’t stopped thinking about her since.
“We’re hoping Hollywood might sense the new kitten and come home,” Bush Hager said. Kotb added that the decision followed months of grief, with Bush Hager often emotional on set and even sharing the story with guests.
Though Mila still misses Hollywood, her excitement for the new addition offers comfort. As Bush Hager put it, “We’ll have a new family member—and maybe, just maybe, Hollywood will find her way back.”
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