Longtime “Today” show host Hoda Kotb has announced her decision to leave the popular daytime show, with her final broadcast scheduled for January 1, 2025.
Kotb, who turned 60 this summer, cited a desire to spend more time with her family as the primary reason for her departure.
Kotb made the emotional announcement during the Thursday, September 26, 2024 broadcast of “Today,” surrounded by her co-workers.
She has been a co-anchor of the show alongside Savannah Guthrie since 2018, following Matt Lauer’s dismissal amid sexual harassment allegations.
The veteran broadcaster’s NBC career spans over two decades, beginning as a correspondent for “Dateline” in 1998. She joined “Today” in 2007 and has also co-hosted the fourth hour of the morning show, currently with Jenna Bush Hager.
Kotb’s decision to leave comes as she balances her demanding work schedule with her responsibilities as a single mother to two young daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. She recently relocated with her children from Manhattan to suburban Westchester, New York, further complicating her early morning routine.
Despite her departure from the daily broadcast, Kotb plans to maintain ties with NBC. She is set to host a wellness retreat in Austin, Texas, in October 2024, exploring personal growth themes.
The news has prompted an outpouring of support from Kotb’s colleagues, with Guthrie expressing her affection and sadness at the prospect of Kotb’s departure. NBC executives were aware of Kotb’s decision, though it came as a surprise to many outside the immediate “Today” show circle.
As Kotb prepares for her next chapter, industry insiders said to expect her to follow in the footsteps of other NBC alums like Maria Shriver and Katie Couric, potentially returning for special contributions in the future.