Hoda Kotb, a beloved mainstay of NBC Information’ “TODAY” for almost 20 years, introduced on Thursday that she’s going to step down from the community’s flagship morning present early subsequent yr.
She stated she made the choice after turning 60 in August. “I spotted that it was time for me to show the web page at 60, and to strive one thing new,” she stated, combating again tears and surrounded by her fellow hosts.
Kotb has co-anchored “TODAY” with Savannah Guthrie since early 2018. They have been the present’s first all-female anchor workforce.
Guthrie, visibly emotional, stated the “TODAY” workforce doesn’t “wish to think about this place with out you.” Guthrie praised Kotb for her “guts” and stated she is exiting at “the highest of [her] sport.”
In a written message to her colleagues, Kotb stated her daughters and her mom “want and deserve an even bigger slice of my time pie.”
Kotb stated she would stick with “TODAY” via the beginning of subsequent yr and proceed with NBC in an unspecified function. (NBC Information didn’t instantly announce her successor.)
“Fortunately and gratefully, I plan to stay part of the NBC household, the longest work relationship I’ve been fortunate sufficient to carry near my coronary heart. I’ll be round. How may I not?”
“Household is household and also you all will all the time be part of mine,” she wrote.
Al Roker, the legendary “TODAY” weatherman and co-host, paid tribute to Kotb after she made her announcement: “I’ve by no means identified anyone such as you … I’ve identified you without end, and love you.”
“TODAY” has lengthy been one in all NBC’s marquee tv franchises and drivers of promoting income. “TODAY” has topped ABC’s “Good Morning America” amongst adults between ages 25 and 54 for 58 consecutive weeks — the present’s finest streak in additional than three years, in response to Nielsen statistics cited by the community.
Kotb joined NBC Information as a correspondent for “Dateline” in 1998. She went on to cowl a wide selection of home and worldwide information tales earlier than becoming a member of the “TODAY” workforce in 2007, co-hosting the present’s light-hearted fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb and Gifford attracted a loyal following with their easygoing banter and spirited superstar interviews. Kotb at present co-hosts the fourth hour of “TODAY” with Jenna Bush Hager.
Kotb quickly stepped into the “TODAY” co-anchor function in November 2017 after NBC fired Matt Lauer following a feminine colleague’s detailed grievance accusing him of inappropriate sexual habits.
She completely took over co-anchor duties firstly of 2018. In on-air remarks on the time, Guthrie stated “this must be the most well-liked choice NBC Information has ever made, and I’m so thrilled.”
Kotb and Guthrie have co-anchored the “TODAY” information hours throughout a few of the most pivotal chapters in latest historical past, together with the presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden in addition to the Covid pandemic and the Israel-Hamas warfare.
Kotb has additionally chronicled her personal story, too, resembling her expertise with breast most cancers and the adoptions of her two daughters, 7-year-old Haley and 5-year-old Hope.
In her written message, Kotb stated “there’s loads of time to speak about what’s forward for all of us.”
“However one factor I do know for positive proper now could be this: every part’s going to be simply high quality,” she wrote. “The Peacock’s feathers are by no means ruffled … irrespective of who comes or goes. ‘TODAY’ and its superb individuals — all of you — by no means waver. You all the time climate change with grace.”