It was an emotional farewell for Hoda Kotb when she left the Today show on January 10. But despite the bittersweet moment, the beloved TV host says she has absolutely no regrets—or FOMO—about her decision to step away after years of being a central part of the daytime talk show. In a candid chat with Us Weekly on Thursday, February 28, Hoda revealed just how content she feels about her new chapter in life.
“I have no FOMO, which is so funny because I knew 100 [percent]. I don’t have an ounce of it,” said Hoda, now 60. Her honesty was refreshing, and her words were filled with both gratitude and excitement for the future.
As a New York Times bestselling author, Hoda has always been open about her feelings. This time, she clarified her sentiments further: “It doesn’t mean I didn’t love it. At the end when my heart broke, I was like, ‘That’s love.’ But it also is, I feel like my gaze is set forward.” Her decision wasn’t born out of a lack of passion for her career; instead, it was about embracing a new phase of her life with open arms.
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Why Hoda’s Decision Feels So Right
So, what makes Hoda so at peace with leaving the grueling schedule of the Today show? The answer lies in her family life. Now, she gets to fully focus on being a mom to her daughters, Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 5. This change has helped her avoid any second-guessing about her decision. “I think if anyone’s ever gone through any kind of an ending and a beginning, sometimes it’s really difficult, but also 100 percent right,” Hoda explained. “And I knew it in my heart. I knew it just like I’m saying it today.”
She elaborated, “It’s sort of like life speaks to you and whispers, and pretty soon, they turn into screams. But I felt the whisper, I knew it, and I didn’t ignore it. I didn’t push it down. I didn’t say, ‘Not right now.’ I knew it was right.” Her wisdom shines through as she speaks about listening to her inner voice and trusting her instincts.
A Beautiful Start to a New Chapter
Hoda’s first morning after leaving the show was nothing short of magical. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the 2025 Super Bowl, she recalled waking up at 4:15 a.m. on a Monday morning. “Everything seemed right,” she said, describing the peacefulness of the moment. As she prepared for her daughters’ school day, one of them ran down the stairs and exclaimed, “You are here!”
That simple yet powerful moment confirmed for Hoda that she had made the right choice. “So, right decision, confirmed,” she smiled. “Savannah [Guthrie] and Craig [Melvin] are crushing it. Jenna [Bush Hager] and all of her friends, I don’t even know what friend I like better,” she gushed. “But I’m enjoying watching them. It’s been beautiful.”
Hoda’s Love for Cameos
Although Hoda may not miss being a permanent cohost on Today, she’s all for making occasional appearances alongside her former cohosts. On February 28, she made a surprise appearance on the show while former cohosts Melvin, 45, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer were reporting live from New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Al, 70, introduced her by saying, “Before we go any further, I think we’ve got a very special person who knows this city well.” Hoda, who worked as a reporter in New Orleans during the ‘90s, joked, “Hey guys, wait a minute, are you in my city? Without me?” She then playfully teased, “OK, Al, Craig, Dylan, you guys, I know what you’re going to do? Eat all the food, yes you will, listen to all the music, yes you will. Enjoy what I believe is the best city on earth. Y’all have so much without me, wah wah, happy Mardi Gras!”
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