Kathie Lee & Hoda: Father-Daughter Reunion After 50 Years + Adoption

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Barb Stewart’s Search For Biological Dad

Kathie Lee and Hoda told the story of how one woman’s search for her biological dad led to the reunion of a lifetime. When Barb Stewart was three months old, her biological mom passed away from rheumatic fever. Before she passed, she and Barb’s father Fred vowed to give their daughter a normal life. They arranged for Barb’s aunt and uncle to legally adopt her and raise Barb as their own. Now, nearly 50 years later, a simple Facebook search led Barb to her biological father.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Barb Stewart Adoption Story

Barb found out when she was six years old that she was adopted as an infant. She said she had a great childhood, and her being adopted was something that was “on the back burner emotionally.” She said she always wondered who her biological family was or even if they knew about her. As her own kids grew older, she started looking on and off for her biological family. She had old photos of her dad and knew he had two other children.

She said it was like a puzzle that needed to be put together. She started looking on Facebook and one night found Josephine Herman, her natural father’s second wife. She sent her a message that said, “Hello, I hope you are well, my guess is that once you see my name you would most likely know who I am. My hope is that ‘friending’ me would not intrude on your lives or be much of a burden. I would like to think that it could possibly open new doors and possibilities. Sincerely, Barbara Lea Krass Stewart”.

By clicking through Josephine’s page, she discovered the pages of her half brother and half sister. A couple days later they wrote back. “Barb, this is your sister Nancy. My mom just showed me your message. I am sitting here crying from joy. I have been trying to find you for years. I can not believe this. It is so good to hear from you! Your dad is a great guy and super grandpa. Love, Nancy”.

She said after that, new family members flooded her page with requests and messages.

Kathie Lee & Hoda: Father-Daughter Reunion

Barb’s father Fred didn’t have a Facebook page, so she had to call him. She said one of the first things he said to her was “you sound like your mother.” Now, Fred will be able to celebrate his first Father’s Day with Barb.

Barb joined Kathie Lee and Hoda saying she hadn’t yet seen her father but had spoken to him on the phone. She said it was after her adoptive dad died that she realized it would be such a shame to lose all the other people that are still alive and part of her family.

Kathie Lee and Hoda brought out Fred and the tears just began flowing, not only between Barb and her dad but also between Kathie Lee and Hoda.

Fred said he never thought that moment would come. He said he never knew if she was told she was adopted and Barb said she never knew if he told anyone about her. Fred said Barb looks and sounds just like her mother.

Kathie Lee and Hoda also brought out the rest of the family, including Barb’s half sister. It was an incredible, emotional reunion that was truly wonderful to watch.