Jenna Bush Hager Denies Having a Favorite Child
The TODAY host said she does not have a favorite among her three children, though her kids believe the youngest, Hal, is the one.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Pre-Teens
On Tuesday, November 3, Jenna Bush Hager said she does not have a favorite child during an episode of Today with Jenna and Sheinelle. She said her three children, Poppy, Mila and Hal, repeatedly tell her that Hal is her favorite.
Why it matters
The remark offers a light, relatable glimpse into family life for parents of several children, a topic many readers navigate. It also shows how public figures discuss private family dynamics on national television.
Bush Hager, 44, shares daughters Poppy, 11, and Mila, 13, and son Hal, 7, with husband Henry Hager. The family details come from her own on-air account rather than an independent source.
The players
Jenna Bush Hager
Jenna Bush Hager is a television host and daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, known for co-hosting NBC's TODAY.
Today with Jenna and Sheinelle
Today with Jenna and Sheinelle is a daytime NBC talk show co-hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones.
The details
Bush Hager explained the situation during the Tuesday episode, saying her children repeatedly tell her Hal is her favorite. She described Hal as someone who has heart eyes when she comes home and who asks her to read with him in bed.
Timeline
August: Bush Hager posted a multigenerational family photo from the Bush estate in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Earlier in August: She posted a birthday message for Poppy on Instagram Stories.
Tuesday, November 3: She discussed the favorite-child question on Today with Jenna and Sheinelle.
Culture Shift
Public discussion of parenting on daytime television has become a steady format in which hosts share lighthearted family anecdotes with national audiences. Bush Hager's comment fits that pattern of relatable, personal storytelling in the family-focused lifestyle space.
Parents of several children may find the remark a reminder that favoritism questions are common and can be addressed with humor. The story offers no specific guidance beyond that personal example.
The takeaway
Bush Hager's account suggests that children may perceive favoritism even when a parent denies it, and that openly discussing the perception can keep the moment light. Families with several kids may find this a useful reminder to talk about these feelings directly.
Further reading
For more on raising older kids, browse our Pre-Teens coverage.
