Hoda Kotb has announced that she will be leaving the TODAY show in early 2025 while continuing her association with NBC. During a heartfelt segment on September 26, she shared that her recent 60th birthday celebration inspired her to make a significant life change.
“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new,” Hoda explained. Reflecting on her birthday festivities, she described a moment of clarity when she realized, “This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.” She concluded it was the right time to move on.
Hoda expressed that she hopes to dedicate more time to her daughters, Haley and Hope. “Obviously, I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie,” she commented, acknowledging the importance of family time.
Hoda plans to stay with TODAY until early next year and will take on a new, unspecified role within the NBC family. “It’s kind of a big deal for me,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
Having been a key figure at NBC News for nearly 30 years, Hoda’s journey has included roles on “Dateline” and as co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager. She and Savannah Guthrie have co-anchored the main show for over five years.
Savannah expressed her love and admiration, stating, “We love you so much. 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.” She noted Hoda’s courage in choosing to leave while at the pinnacle of her career for the potential of new experiences.
Emotional messages poured in from the TODAY family. Jenna Bush Hager assured Hoda of her continued friendship, while Sheinelle Jones praised her as a dynamic mother and positive force in wellness.
Al Roker, one of Hoda’s oldest friends at NBC, shared his deep appreciation, saying, “I have never known anybody like you. I love you.” Craig Melvin acknowledged Hoda’s genuine nature, stating, “You’ve been the heart of this show for a long time, and there’s no replacing that.”
Hoda closed the segment by reflecting on her cherished relationships with her colleagues and the TODAY audience that consistently brightens her mornings in Rockefeller Plaza.