Hoda Kotb Announces She’s Leaving the TODAY Show

Hoda Kotb has introduced that she is leaving TODAY early subsequent yr, however will stay a part of the NBC household.

She tearfully recounted on TODAY on Sept. 26 about how her sixtieth birthday celebration in August prompted a call to make a change.

“I noticed that it was time for me to show the web page at 60, and to strive one thing new,” she mentioned. “I remembered standing outdoors these stunning bunch of individuals with these attractive indicators, and I believed, ‘That is what the highest of the wave seems like for me.’ And I believed it could’t get higher, and I made a decision that that is the fitting time for me to type of transfer on.”

Hoda’s intention to spend extra time along with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, additionally factored into her resolution.

“Clearly I had my kiddos late in life, and I used to be pondering that they deserve a much bigger piece of my time pie that I’ve,” she mentioned. “I really feel like we solely have a finite period of time.

“And so, with all that being mentioned, that is the toughest factor on the earth.”

She mentioned she’s going to stay with TODAY by early subsequent yr, and goes to remain within the NBC household in an unspecified position.

“It is type of a giant deal for me,” she mentioned by tears. “I have been training so I would not cry, however anyway, I did.”

Hoda has been a part of the material at NBC Information for practically three a long time, after beforehand working at “Dateline” and because the co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY with Kathie Lee Gifford after which Jenna Bush Hager. She and Savannah Guthrie have co-anchored TODAY for greater than 5 years.

“We love you a lot,” Savannah tearfully mentioned on TODAY. “And once you go searching and see these tears, they’re love. You might be so liked. We do not need to think about this place with out you.

“So it is sophisticated as a result of we love you a lot, and we do not need you to ever go,” she continued. “But additionally I simply need to say I’m so pleased with my buddy. You’ve gotten guts. For somebody to depart on the prime of their sport, to depart one thing that is great that you simply love, the place it is easy and comfy and exquisite and enjoyable, and say, ‘However I dream larger for myself into the good unknown.’ You’ve gotten a lot guts. You encourage me. I really like you.”

The TODAY household all shared emotional messages with Hoda on the present.

“It is not over,” Jenna Bush Hager mentioned. “I will be displaying up at your home just like the stalker you’re to Zac Brown. I might be there in your doorstep, and we’re your folks ceaselessly.”

“Hoda has a relationship with each single individual on this sofa in her personal manner, so I believe we’re all simply type of wrestling with it inside,” Sheinelle Jones mentioned. “However we additionally know what a dynamic mother you’re, and presence you’re. And your entire motion with wellness, you’re going to change the world. And we all know it.”

One in every of Hoda’s oldest buddies throughout her time with NBC has been weatherman Al Roker.

“I’ve by no means recognized anyone such as you,” Al mentioned. “I’ve recognized you ceaselessly, and I really like you.”

Craig Melvin additionally paid tribute to Hoda’s real friendship.

“Individuals on this enterprise, when that little purple mild, it goes off, they’re totally different folks,” Craig mentioned. “We have labored with all these folks earlier than. You are the alternative. That little purple mild goes off, you’re precisely like folks see you within the morning — simply the largest coronary heart.

“You’ve got been the guts of this present for a very long time, and there is no changing that.”

She mirrored on all her relationships with these behind the digicam and the remainder of the employees, plus the TODAY followers who collect day by day in Rockefeller Plaza to brighten her morning.

Hoda additionally shared a letter to the TODAY employees on Sept. 26 about her resolution to step down. Learn it in full under.