Hoda Kotb, a stalwart of NBC for over twenty years, has announced her departure from the “Today” show in early next year. Kotb, who has been a co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie since 2018, revealed that turning 60 this summer prompted her decision to step back from her morning hosting duties. She expressed in a memo to her team and on-air that she sees a new chapter ahead in her life, and that her family, including her daughters and mother, now require more of her time and attention.
Having begun her journey with NBC as a correspondent for “Dateline” in 1998, Kotb transitioned to the “Today” show in 2007. During her time at NBC, she has been a beloved figure among viewers and colleagues, stepping in as co-anchor following the departure of Matt Lauer due to sexual harassment allegations.
In her farewell message, Kotb expressed her deep gratitude for her co-workers, singling out Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, and Al Roker. She described Guthrie as her rock, Hager as her ride-or-die, and Roker as her longest-standing friend at NBC’s Rockefeller Center headquarters.
While Kotb is bidding farewell to her morning show responsibilities, she assured her colleagues that she intends to remain part of the NBC family. She expressed her gratitude for the enduring relationships she has cultivated at NBC and emphasized the importance of family in her decision to step away from the “Today” show. She affirmed that she will always hold her NBC family close to her heart, indicating that she plans to stay connected in some capacity in the future.
As Hoda Kotb prepares to embark on the next phase of her career journey, NBC viewers and colleagues alike are left reflecting on the impact she has made during her time on the “Today” show and beyond. Her presence, warmth, and dedication to her work have left an indelible mark on the broadcasting world, and she will undoubtedly be remembered fondly for her contributions to morning television.
