Jenna Bush Hager recently took a heartfelt trip down memory lane as she returned to her hometown of Austin, Texas.
Accompanied by her Today show co-host Hoda Kotb, the 42-year-old revisited significant places from her youth,
reconnecting with old friends and even running into a few familiar faces from her dating past.
During the October 24 episode of Today, Bush Hager and Kotb shared details about their Texas adventure,
with Kotb humorously pointing out that nearly everywhere they went, they encountered one of Bush Hager’s former boyfriends.
Austin: A City Full of Memories
For Bush Hager, Austin holds a deep personal significance. She lived there from middle school through college, attending Austin High School while her father, George W. Bush, served as Governor of Texas. Reflecting on her strong connection to the city, she admitted, “It sounds like I still have a lot of exes that live in Texas, and I might.” She continued, “Austin was my home from middle school through college. I could not leave, I had to go to UT.”
Bush Hager went on to share that her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, always knew she would stay in Texas for college. “My mom even said the other day, ‘Why did you apply to all those schools? You were always going to Texas.’”
Though she eventually moved away, she still feels a deep-rooted connection to her home state. “I have lived out of Texas longer than I’ve lived in it, but it’s still in every bone in my body,” she said. “I love it so much.”
A Warm Reunion with Lifelong Friends
One of the highlights of Bush Hager’s trip was reuniting with her high school friends. Kotb noted how special it was to witness her co-host’s close friendships, remarking, “I think what’s so cool about Jenna is her besties are here, and also they show up.”
A group photo from one of their outings even made it onto the screen during the show, with Kotb sharing, “This was us at the bar the other night, all these high school friends showed up.”
An Emotional Return to High School
As part of their nostalgic journey, Kotb and Bush Hager visited Austin High School, where Bush Hager was a student from 1996 to 2000. Walking through the halls brought back a flood of emotions, leading to an overwhelming moment for her.
“Jenna was crying – it was the most beautiful thing to be home,” Kotb shared.
Bush Hager, known for her emotional nature, responded with humor, saying, “If you watch the show, I know you’re shocked I was crying.” She then encouraged others to make similar trips back to their old schools, emphasizing how deeply moving it can be.
“If any of you have not gone back to your high school, go back, because there was something about entering this gym where we spent all of our Friday pep rallies for Texas football, which is such a thing,” she explained. “To be back there in a place that shaped me so much was so weirdly emotional, I couldn’t stand it.”
The visit also included reunions with her former teachers, and in a lighthearted moment, Bush Hager jokingly apologized for any mischief she may have caused during her school years.
From Austin to the National Stage
Bush Hager’s ties to Texas run deep. Her family moved to the state in 1994 when her father was elected governor. After graduating from high school in 2000, she stayed in Austin to pursue an English degree at the University of Texas, even as her father transitioned to the White House following his presidential election win that same year.
Though she later worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Bush Hager eventually carved out a successful career in media. She became a published author and later joined Today, stepping into the co-host role in 2019 after Kathie Lee Gifford’s departure.
At the time, she expressed how natural the transition felt, saying, “It feels organic and it feels right, which I don’t know if I would do it if it didn’t. They probably wouldn’t have asked me to do it if it didn’t. But it just feels like the right time for me.”
A Homecoming to Remember
Bush Hager’s trip to Austin was more than just a nostalgic visit—it was a reminder of the lasting impact the city has had on her life. From reconnecting with old friends to revisiting the places that shaped her, the experience proved to be both heartwarming and bittersweet.
And while she may have moved beyond her Texas roots in terms of location, it’s clear that Austin will always be a part of her.
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