After 18 years, Hoda Kotb is leaving Today to focus on family and health. Find out about her trip, who she replaced, and her plans for the future.
1. Hoda Kotb quit the Today show to spend more time with her kids.
2. Craig Melvin will take over as co-anchor, and Jenna Bush Hager will be in charge of the new fourth hour.
Who is Hoda Kotb, and why does she want to leave The Today Show?
Hoda Kotb said she would be leaving NBC’s Today show in September 2024, after working there for almost 18 years.
The well-liked co-anchor, who was known for being friendly and funny, quit to spend more time with her children, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.
Kotb expressed her desire to allocate more time to her children as she approaches her 60th birthday in 2024. Her choice means the end of an era for the famous morning show.
Just how did Hoda Kotb get to work at NBC?
Kotb’s first job at NBC was as a Dateline reporter in 1998. She became the host of the fourth hour of the Today show in 2007 and worked with Kathie Lee Gifford for more than ten years.
When Matt Lauer left in 2018, Kotb became the first woman to co-anchor the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. timeslots with Savannah Guthrie. As the first all-female reporter team in the history of network TV, they broke new ground.
How did the Today Show honor her leaving?
The week before Kotb’s last day on January 10, 2025, was known as the “Hoda-bration.” At the party, she got to see her Tri Delta sorority sisters again and got a custom picture from author Charlie Mackesy.
The celebrations brought attention to Kotb’s influence on the show and on her coworkers, who called her a “pillar of positivity.”
Why did Hoda Kotb choose to leave?
Kotb chose to leave because she wanted to spend more time with her family. She adopted two girls in 2017 and 2019, and she has talked a lot about how hard it is to balance work and motherhood.
She told PEOPLE, “If you want to be great at home, something has to give!” Her leaving is part of a growing trend among workers who are rethinking their goals after the pandemic.
Who Will Take Hoda Kotb’s Place?
Craig Melvin, who has worked as an NBC host before, will replace Kotb as co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie. During the on-air introduction, Kotb said nice things about Melvin and called him “the right person for the job.”
The fourth hour of the show is now called Today with Jenna & Friends, and it has guest hosts like Taraji P. Henson and Keke Palmer.
What Will Hoda Kotb Do Next?
Kotb is starting a new stage that will focus on health and family. Her love of self-care and her desire to help others will come together in her plans to start a fitness app and hold workshops.
Besides that, she moved her family to the areas of New York, where she hopes things will move more slowly. She said, “I want my kids to walk on grass and ride their bikes down the street.”
What does Hoda Kotb miss most about the Today Show?
- The friendships: Kotb loved her friendships with co-hosts like Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie.
- The early mornings: It’s strange, but she won’t miss getting up at 3 a.m. for work.
- The watchers: Kotb loved talking to people every day.
- The surprises: The show was full of happiness, from thoughtful gifts to unplanned events.
What will happen to the Today Show now that Hoda Kotb is leaving?
After almost twenty years, Kotb’s charm and ability to connect with people have been big parts of the Today show. Craig Melvin and Jenna Bush Hager are ready to take over, but Kotb’s loss will definitely be felt.
She was a trailblazer and a popular figure on morning TV, and her influence will live on.
The fact that Hoda Kotb is leaving the Today show is sad for both fans and coworkers. Her choice to put family and health first is part of a larger culture shift toward work-life balance. As Kotb starts this new stage, she leaves behind a tradition of breaking down obstacles and sharing happiness.