Hoda Kotb Makes ‘Painful’ Decision To Leave ‘Today’ After 17 Years
Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye to her family on The Today Show after 17 years. The broadcast journalist announced her departure on Thursday, September 26. She admitted that leaving was a “painful” decision, but the right one. Continue reading to see what the Today co-host said in her farewell message.
Hoda Kotb Shares A Goodbye Message On Today
In a letter to the staff on Today, Hoda Kotb wrote, “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.”
Continuing, she took the time to explain why she felt now was the time to leave. “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,” she penned. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”
As fans know, Hoda Kotb is the co-anchor of NBC’s Today alongside her colleague and friend Savannah Guthrie. She also co-hosts Today with Hoda & Jenna with Jenna Bush Hager.
The beloved host will maintain her current role until the beginning of 2025. However, she hinted that she won’t be completely gone from the network.
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. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”
A Look At Hoda’s Career On Today & Her Growing Family
Hoda Kotb was first named co-anchor on Today in January 2018 after disgraced journalist Matt Lauer was let go. She and Savannah Guthrie made television history as the first pair of female co-hosts on the morning show.
Before that, Hoda was the host of the fourth-hour broadcast at 10 a.m. She got started in September 2007 and was joined by her co-host Kathie Lee Gifford. In August 2019, Kathie left Today and Jenna Bush Hager took her place. The duo have notoriously gotten along well and became good friends.
The Today co-anchor cited her children as the reason behind her departure. She has been open about her journey through motherhood on the morning show and often shares updates on social media.
Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, which left her unable to have kids on her own. She went on to adopt Haley Joy in 2017 and then Hope Catherine in 2019 with her ex-fiance Joel Schiffman.
This news comes along with other big changes for Hoda and her family. They recently moved from the city into the suburbs. The Today co-anchor talked about how excited both girls were to have their own rooms in their new home.
“They’re so excited to have their own space,” she shared. “They’re excited about a reading chair, they’re excited about having a beanbag chair, and their bed, that kind of stuff.”
She said, “I want my kids to feel grass on their feet, and play in the yard, and ride bikes down the street, and run up and down the stairs. I just see that life for them in this perfect house in this beautiful little town where I know they’ll be able to blossom into beautiful, independent, strong women.”
There is no doubt that the cast on Today will miss Hoda Kotb. Are you sad to see her go? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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