Hoda Kotb, a beloved figure at NBC News‘ TODAY, announced on Thursday that she will be stepping down from the show early next year after nearly two decades as a mainstay of the network’s flagship morning program. Kotb’s decision comes after she celebrated her 60th birthday in August, a milestone that prompted deep reflection and ultimately led her to embrace change.
“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” she said, fighting back tears as she sat surrounded by her fellow co-hosts. “This is what the top of the wave feels like for me. I thought it couldn’t get better, and I decided this is the right time to move on.”
Kotb’s departure marks the end of an era, especially considering the impact she has had since co-anchoring TODAY with Savannah Guthrie starting in early 2018. Together, they formed the show’s first-ever all-female anchor team, navigating historic moments like the presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the COVID-19 pandemic, and international crises like the Israel-Hamas conflict. The emotional toll of Kotb’s announcement was evident on set, with Guthrie praising her “guts” for leaving at “the top of [her] game,” while struggling to hold back tears. “We don’t want to imagine this place without you,” Guthrie said, underscoring the deep connection Kotb has fostered with her colleagues and the audience alike.
Hoda Kotb’s decision to step away was driven by a desire to spend more time with her daughters, 7-year-old Haley and 5-year-old Hope. “Obviously, I had my kiddos late in life, and they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie,” Kotb explained. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time, and with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world.”
Al Roker, the iconic TODAY weatherman, offered a heartfelt tribute to Kotb, saying, “I have never known anybody like you. I’ve known you forever, and I love you.” Similarly, Craig Melvin commended Kotb’s genuine nature, emphasizing that what viewers see on screen is exactly who she is behind the scenes: “You’ve been the heart of this show for a long time, and there’s no replacing that.”
Although Kotb will step down as co-anchor in early 2025, she reassured fans and colleagues alike that she isn’t leaving the NBC family entirely. “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 said, hinting at an unspecified role she will take on in the future. “I’ll be around. How could I not?”
Kotb’s long journey at NBC News began in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline, where she covered numerous domestic and international stories. In 2007, she joined the TODAY team, co-hosting its lighthearted fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, forming a fan-favorite duo. Later, she partnered with Jenna Bush Hager for the same slot. In 2017, Kotb stepped into a more serious role as the main co-anchor of TODAY, after NBC fired Matt Lauer following allegations of sexual misconduct. Her promotion to permanent co-anchor in 2018 was met with widespread acclaim.
Despite the emotional farewells, Kotb expressed optimism in her farewell message to colleagues: “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.”
Though her departure marks a significant shift, Kotb’s legacy, her bond with viewers, and her lasting impact on TODAY will endure, both on and off screen. As she steps into a new chapter, she leaves with grace, confidence, and the enduring love of the people she has inspired for decades.