Hoda Kotb Leaving ‘Today’ to Focus on Family
Kotb broke the news of her decision on the Today show, tearfully explaining her reasons for leaving. “It was time for me to turn the page at 60,” Kotb said. “I decided this is the right time for me to move on. I obviously had my kiddos late in life and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie.” Kotb’s announcement confirms speculation that her exit is motivated by her desire to spend more time with her two young daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, whom she adopted in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Fans express both sadness and understanding over her decision. Many are questioning if this means Kotb is retiring entirely. While Kotb will no longer be a regular presence on the Today show, she reassured viewers and colleagues that she will remain a part of the NBC family in some capacity.
The Impact of Hoda Kotb Leaving ‘Today’
Kotb has been a key figure at NBC since she joined in 1998 as a correspondent on Dateline. Her role expanded over the years, and she eventually took the co-anchor chair on the Today show alongside Savannah Guthrie in 2017, following Matt Lauer’s abrupt departure amidst sexual misconduct allegations. Kotb’s departure represents a seismic shift for the morning news landscape, which relies heavily on familiar faces to maintain viewership.
Kotb’s ability to connect with viewers through her warmth, humor, and candidness made her a beloved figure on Today. Her chemistry with co-hosts like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager was a significant driver of the show’s success.
The departure of a long-standing anchor like Hoda Kotb is not just a personal decision—it has major implications for NBC’s morning show strategy. Morning shows like Today and Good Morning America are lucrative segments for networks, drawing millions of viewers and generating significant advertising revenue. Kotb’s exit creates a critical void, especially since she was not just the face of the 7-9 a.m. segment but also a co-host of the popular 10 a.m. hour, Today with Hoda & Jenna.
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda’s co-anchor, expressed mixed emotions, stating, “We don’t want to imagine this place without you, so it’s complicated because we love you so much and we don’t ever want you to go away. You have guts for someone to leave at the top of their game.” NBC has not yet named a successor, and it may take months for a new co-host to be chosen, signaling the careful consideration the network is putting into finding the right person to fill Hoda’s shoes.
Hoda Kotb’s Legacy at NBC
Kotb’s legacy at NBC is marked by several significant achievements. She first joined the Today show in 2007, hosting the fourth-hour segment with Kathie Lee Gifford. The segment, known for its laid-back, wine-sipping atmosphere, became a hit, establishing Kotb as a household name. In 2018, Kotb made history alongside Savannah Guthrie as the first-ever all-female co-anchor team of the Today show.
Her warmth and openness about her personal life endeared her to audiences. Kotb openly shared her battle with breast cancer and her adoption journey on-air, making her relatable to millions of viewers. In recognition of her work, she won a Daytime Emmy in 2022 for Outstanding Morning Program and received numerous accolades for her reporting on Dateline.
While the news of “Hoda leaving” the Today show has left fans heartbroken, Kotb hinted that she’s not disappearing from the spotlight entirely. In a letter to Today staff, she wrote, “Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart.” Kotb has expressed interest in pursuing projects related to wellness and family life, areas that align with her current personal priorities.
Although Hoda Kotb is leaving her full-time role, NBC executives will likely leverage her star power in new ways, whether through special segments, digital content, or occasional on-air appearances. You can read Kotb’s full letter on why Hoda Kotb leaving Today below:
“To my TODAY family,
As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.
My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you’ve been beside me on this twenty-six-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour. I’m picturing your faces and your families and all the ways you’ve lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships. Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you at TODAY desperately.
I’ve been weighing this decision for quite a while – Am I truly ready? But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift. Like a massive, joyful YES, you are! 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. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.
Because I’ll be working through the beginning of 2025, there’s plenty of time to talk about what’s ahead for all of us. But one thing I know for sure right now is this: everything’s going to be just fine. The Peacock’s feathers are never ruffled… no matter who comes or goes. TODAY and its amazing people — all of you — never waver. You always weather change with grace and guts.
Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”
Love,
Hoda
The Today show faces a pivotal moment as it navigates this transition. With the departure of a beloved co-host like Hoda Kotb, the network must find a successor who can maintain the show’s appeal and hold onto its strong ratings, particularly in the highly competitive morning show market. While Good Morning America has edged out Today in total viewership, the NBC show has consistently won in the key 25-54 demographic for 58 consecutive weeks.
The Today show will certainly feel different without Hoda Kotb, but her impact on the program and her audience will be felt for many years to come.
