Hoda Kotb returned to the Today show on Tuesday, reuniting with her long-time co-hosts after stepping away earlier this year following a successful 17-year career with NBC’s morning program.

During her comeback, Kotb, 61, offered her comfort to her colleague Sheinelle Jones, 47, who is mourning the loss of her husband Uche Ojeh, who passed away at 45 in May after battling brain cancer.

Jones recently spoke about how she’s coping with the difficult time in an on-air interview Savannah Guthrie conducted. 

‘I just said this to Sheinelle,’ Kotb said. ‘She’s changing lives just by being exactly who she is.’

Kotb appeared opposite Guthrie, Willie Geist, Jenna Bush Hager, Craig Melvin and Al Roker following her exit from the show nine months ago.

Kotb praised Jones for her candor and perseverance in the wake of her husband’s tragic passing.

Hoda Kotb, 61, brought her one-of-a-kind charm to the Today Show Tuesday, with an emotional reunion with her longtime on-air peers 

Kotb was there for her colleague Sheinelle Jones, 47, following the heart-wrenching loss of Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh, who succumbed to brain cancer at 45 this past May.

Kotb shared, ‘After you all spoke, three of my friends immediately reached out, expressing how profoundly moved they were by the conversation.’ She added, ‘You need not do anything special—just be yourself—and you’re achieving wonderful things.’

The Norman, Oklahoma-born TV personality told Jones: ‘So anyway, I love you – that was amazing.’

Jones began working at NBC 11 years ago, and has maintained a regular presence on the Today show in the years since.

Jones took a break from the program last December to support her spouse amid his illness.

In a January 15 Instagram post, Jones shared with her followers that she was taking some personal time to handle ‘a family health matter’ without revealing any further specifics.

On the May 23 episode of Today, Jones’ colleagues announced that her cherished partner had passed away after a courageous fight against cancer. Jones responded on Instagram, expressing gratitude: ‘Thank you for all your love and support.’

Jones maintained a low profile up until her return to the Today show this past September 5, when she chat with Guthrie about what she had been through in recent months.

In the chat, she described the massive impact her spouse’s passing had on her emotionally: ‘My heart is shattered in a million pieces … the life that I’ve known since I was 19 is no more.’

Kotb praised Jones for her candor and perseverance in the wake of her husband’s tragic passing 

Kotb pictured January 10 in NYC as she was honored in leaving the show after a 17-year stint 

Jones said that part of her grief was for the three children she shared with her late spouse: Kayin, 15, and twins Clara and Uche, 12.

‘I’ve always wanted kids – I used to dream of having kids,’ Jones said. ‘I used to put pictures up of kids, in my room and my friends would be like, “You’re weird, you don’t know those kids,” and I would laugh.

‘I have three kids of my own now, and they’ve lost their dad and I’m their mom.’

Kotb is mother to two daughters: ‘Haley Joy, eight, and Hope Catherine, six. Her last day working on the Today show came January 10 of this year.

The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon was among the notable names to show up and honor the veteran TV host, presenting her with a framed portrait of the NBC peacock as seen in the hallways of the network’s New York headquarters.

Fallon told Kotb he titled the picture Onward and Upward ’cause you’re getting on the elevator and going up, right?

‘But then I signed it, and then no one can read my writing. My handwriting’s so bad so it looks like it says Osmond and Uptown.’

Kotb praised both Guthrie and Melvin in an emotional segment on the broadcast , saying, ‘Savannah, oh, my God – you’re my person, you’re my person.

‘You know who shows up for everybody? This girl … she’s in the room, she’s always in the room, and I love you.’