Hoda Kotb announced in a letter to her colleagues that she would be leaving the “Today” show early in 2025 after over 25 years at NBC News. She had been co-anchoring the morning program for more than five years, filling in the co-anchor role left vacant by Matt Lauer. Kotb expressed her gratitude to her colleagues and acknowledged that her time at NBC had been the longest professional love affair of her life. She had previously worked on shows like “Dateline” and co-hosted the fourth hour of “Today” with Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager.
Kotb did not give a specific date for her departure but mentioned that she would be working through the beginning of 2025. Despite leaving the show, she stated that she planned to remain a part of the NBC family in some capacity. The decision to leave was influenced by her recent 60th birthday celebration on the Today Plaza, which made her realize that a new decade of her life lay ahead and that she needed to focus more on her daughters and her mother. Kotb adopted her two children, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, with her ex-fiancée Joel Schiffman, with whom she separated in 2022.
The announcement of Kotb’s departure left a vacuum on the “Today” show, as her replacement was not immediately announced. Kotb reflected on her career and expressed excitement about the future ahead. She mentioned that her career in broadcasting had been meaningful, but now she wanted to prioritize spending more time with her family. Kotb’s decision to leave the show was a personal one, driven by a desire to devote more attention to her daughters and her personal life. She looked forward to the next chapter of her life beyond broadcasting.
Kotb’s departure marked the end of a significant chapter in her professional life, having spent over two decades at NBC News. Her colleagues and fans were supportive of her decision, understanding the importance of balancing work and personal life. The news of her departure was met with mixed emotions, as viewers would miss seeing her on the show, but understood the reasoning behind her decision. Kotb’s impact on the morning news program was substantial, and her presence would be missed by both her colleagues and the audience.
As she prepared to leave the show, Kotb expressed her thanks to her colleagues and the NBC News team for their support throughout her career. She acknowledged the joy and fulfillment that her time at NBC had brought her and looked forward to the future with optimism. Kotb’s decision to leave the show was a significant one, but she felt confident that it was the right choice for her at this point in her life. Her legacy at NBC News would continue to resonate, even as she embarked on a new chapter outside of broadcast journalism.
