Jenna Bush Hager Drops Shocking Secret — Is a Major Life Change Coming for Her Family? In the middle of a bustling New York morning, Jenna Bush Hager sent her kids off to school — but it was what happened next that stunned her colleagues and fans alike. With a mischievous smile, the Today star hinted at a life-altering decision that could change everything for her family.
Jenna Bush Hager, longtime Today show anchor and beloved author, is giving fans a glimpse into what life might look like after her career on national television. During a recent episode of Today, Hager opened up about her dream to eventually return to her hometown of Austin, Texas, with her husband, Henry Hager, and their three children: Mila, 13, Poppy, nine, and Hal, five.
“I have this sort of dream — I just think everybody should have chapters in their lives,” Hager shared. “I have a dream — I don’t know how realistic it is — but when the Jenna & Friends chapter comes to a close…” she began. Her guest host, Matt Rogers, couldn’t resist teasing her: “Well, why would that ever happen?” Hager laughed and continued, “Well… linear television, baby! Who knows? But when I’m ready to go to my next chapter, I think it would be so nice to move back to Texas and let my kids — I went to a big public high school — have a different life.”
Hager’s love for her home state is clear. She frequently speaks about Texas, most recently commenting on the devastating flash floods in Central Texas that affected Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp near the Guadalupe River. At least 27 people tragically lost their lives in the disaster, and Hager shared the emotional challenge of dropping her children off at camp. Her mother, Laura Bush, also has ties to Camp Mystic, having served as a counselor in her youth. “Putting them on the bus, saying goodbye to them… We send our kids into the world with the faith that they can have happy lives, joyful lives, and as adults, we know pain, we hope our kids never face it,” she said. Hager emphasized that the trip from New York to Texas is motivated by love, as Texas camps are considered institutions with deep values and long-standing traditions.
Even as Hager envisions a future back in Texas, she is leaving her mark on the literary world. Over the past six years, she created the Read With Jenna book club, which has amassed a passionate following. The initiative has grown into her publishing company, Thousand Voices Media, which plans to release eight books between Fall 2025 and Fall 2026, all written by female authors. “The mission of Thousand Voices Book is to pull up seats to the table for writers of all genres, from all walks of life,” Hager explained in an Instagram statement. “We’re so excited to discover emerging talent from all over the world and share their stories with as many readers as possible.”
Balancing motherhood, television, and her growing media empire, Hager has managed to remain relatable and grounded. Her love for her children, her home state, and storytelling is apparent in every interview, post, and initiative she undertakes. Whether she ultimately decides to remain on Today or step away for her next chapter, it’s clear that Jenna Bush Hager’s influence — from New York to Texas — will continue to resonate.
For Hager, life is about embracing chapters, cherishing roots, and fostering new opportunities for her family and for voices in literature. Fans can expect that whatever comes next, it will be thoughtfully guided by her values, her love for her children, and her enduring connection to her home state.
