Hoda Kotb is leaving the “Today” show early next year, telling those who have worked with her for the past couple of decades, “It’s time.”
The news is emotional and shocking for her fans and those she worked with and touched during her stint on the show. Fortunately, Kotb has been kind enough to share the reasons behind her anticipated departure; after hearing them, nobody can blame her.
What Prompted Hoda Kotb’s Today Show Exit
Hoda Kotb revealed why she has decided to leave the “Today” show via a memo to her team and an emotional on-air reveal on Thursday. According to the famous host, her 60th birthday, which she celebrated this summer, helped her decide.
She said, “I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.”
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Kotb has been a co-anchor for the first two hours of “Today” alongside Savannah Guthrie since 2018. Her stint on the show started after she filled in for Matt Lauer when he was fired amid sexual harassment allegations.
She was retained and continued to co-host the fourth hour of the morning show with Jenna Bush Hager, having previously hosted it alongside Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb first joined NBC News as a correspondent for “Dateline” in 1998. According to reports, she did not join “Today” until 2007.
Reactions to the Announcement of Hoda Kotb’s Today Show Exit
Kotb was surrounded by her co-workers when she informed viewers of her decision. She said, “This is the hardest thing in the world,” and “I’ve been practicing so I wouldn’t cry, but anyway, I did.” The announcement triggered tributes and well-wishes from those she has worked with and those who have been part of her story in some way.
“We love you so much,” Guthrie, Kotb’s co-anchor on “Today”, said with tears in her eyes. “And when you look around and see these tears, they’re love. You are so loved. We don’t want to imagine this place without you.”
In her goodbye memo, Kotb mentioned many of her co-workers, including Al Roker, whom she called her “longest friend at 30 Rock,” Jenna Bush Hager, whom she tagged her “ride-or-die” and Guthrie, “her rock.”
The memo also revealed that Kotb plans to remain a part of the NBC family. “I’ll be around,” she wrote. “How could I not? Family is family, and you all will always be a part of mine.”
Hoda Kotb’s Spot on the “Today” Show Will Be Hard To Fill
While many are excited for Kotb, they have pointed out that her exit is a huge loss for the show. Her exit will leave two-morning slots open for NBC as it continues to struggle to regain the top morning show slot from ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Kotb has an uncanny ability to deliver hard news and soft news, and she has mastered the art of presenting a welcoming but no-nonsense front, all of which makes her a hard person to replace.
Is Hoda Kotb Leaving the Today Show in 2024?
Hoda Kotb will not leave the Today Show in 2024. However, she has announced plans to do so in early 2025, citing reasons like wanting to spend more time with family.
How Old Are Kotb’s Children?
Hoda Kotb is a proud mom of two kids. Her first child is a daughter, Haley Joy Kotb. She was born on February 14, 2017, which makes her seven years old as of 2024. Kotb welcomed her second child, Hope Catherine Kotb, on April 16, 2019. As of 2024, she is five years old.
Is Hoda Kotb’s Daughter Ill?
Hoda Kotb’s youngest, Hope, experienced a significant health scare in February 2023. It saw her hospitalized for more than a week, with several days spent in the intensive care unit.
Hoda Kotb reported in March 2024 that Hope’s health has stabilized, and the family is now focused on managing her health long-term. However, she has refused to disclose what led to the hospitalization in the first place.
What Happened to Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman?
Joel Schiffman and Hoda Kotb were in a relationship for eight years before they went their separate ways.
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The pair ended their engagement in January 2022, noting that they were better as parents and friends than as a couple. Kotb also noted that they had started “growing at different paces,” which made it hard for them “to be in sync.”
Kotb announced the breakup on the “Today” show on January 31, 2022. Despite their split, they have maintained a cordial friendship and are great co-parents to their two daughters.
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