Hoda Kotb Bids Farewell to Today Show After Nearly Three Decades

Hoda Kotb, the beloved co-anchor of NBC‘s Today show, will sign off for the final time on Friday, January 10, 2025, marking the end of her nearly three-decade career at the network. The 60-year-old journalist, known for her warmth and infectious energy, is stepping away to focus on raising her two young daughters, Hope and Haley.

Kotb joined the Today show in 1998 and became a household name, particularly after co-hosting the show’s fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford from 2008 to 2019. She later teamed up with Savannah Guthrie to helm the main show following the firing of Matt Lauer in 2017. Reflecting on her time at NBC, Kotb emphasized the importance of her friendships with colleagues, calling them her ‘core’ group. ‘You want to be with people who are expanding and curious and trying to kind of make the world better,’ she told Today.

Savannah Guthrie, who has co-hosted with Kotb since 2017, praised her colleague for saving the show during a tumultuous period. ‘All I know was in that moment, it felt like I could drown if Hoda hadn’t reached down and grabbed my hand,’ Guthrie said during a 2022 event at The Paley Center. ‘I will always say she saved the show full stop.’

Jenna Bush Hager, Kotb’s co-host on the fourth hour since 2019, also shared heartfelt sentiments about their bond. ‘I adore Hoda,’ Hager told People. ‘She’s the best partner. She’s been the most generous partner, and we are truly really great friends.’ Hager joked that she would become Kotb’s ‘stalker,’ vowing to visit her house daily after her departure.

Kotb’s friendship with Kathie Lee Gifford, her former co-host, remains strong despite occasional on-air mishaps. In 2022, Kotb revealed that Gifford once accidentally disclosed personal information about her divorce during a Valentine’s Day episode. ‘Kath did it, she threw one huge grenade once,’ Kotb recalled on Watch What Happens Live.

Al Roker, the Today show’s longtime weather anchor, also shared his thoughts on Kotb’s departure. ‘We’re not saying goodbye. We’re just saying, “we’ll see you a little later,”‘ Roker said. He has formed a close bond with Kotb’s daughters, often stepping in as a surrogate uncle during her busy workdays.

Even Matt Lauer, Kotb’s disgraced predecessor, remains in touch with her. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kotb described their relationship as ‘complex,’ acknowledging his past support during her battle with breast cancer while also recognizing the seriousness of the allegations against him.

As Kotb prepares to leave the Today show, her colleagues and fans alike are celebrating her legacy. Kathie Lee Gifford summed it up best on social media: ‘Her warmth, laughter, and incredible spirit have brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts. Here’s to new adventures!’