Katie Couric Sends Love to Hoda Kotb as She Steps Away from 'Today'
There’s nothing quite like the bond between colleagues who’ve shared the spotlight for years. Katie Couric, the iconic journalist and former co-host of Today, recently voiced her heartfelt support for Hoda Kotb as she gears up to leave the iconic morning show. It's a moment that highlights not just the professional respect between these two powerhouses but also a deep personal connection. In a candid chat with Entertainment Tonight at the 2024 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s gala in New York City, Katie shared her thoughts on Hoda's decision and what the future might hold for her former colleague.
Katie, now 67, expressed her admiration for Hoda, saying, “I love Hoda, I think the world loves Hoda.” Her words carry weight, especially as she reflects on her own 15-year tenure on Today. “She’s been there a long time. Like anyone, you want to take on new challenges,” Katie explained, adding, “I did it for 15 years and I loved every minute, but I was ready to try something else. So I think Hoda was too.” The sentiment captures the balance many of us strive for—loving what you do while also knowing when it’s time to embrace new opportunities.
Craig Melvin Steps In: Katie's Thumbs-Up
With Hoda’s final episode set for January 10, Craig Melvin is poised to slide into her seat, joining Savannah Guthrie as the new coanchor. Katie wholeheartedly approves of the choice, calling Craig “awesome.” She elaborated, “The audience knows him and likes him, so I think it’s really going to be a seamless transition. Sometimes those transitions can be bumpy and hard, but I think he’s just going to get in there and operate on all four cylinders.” Her confidence in Craig’s ability to carry the show forward reflects her trust in the Today team’s ability to adapt and thrive.
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She went on to say, “The show is going to keep getting better and better, even though it’s already great.” It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of Today and the talent that continues to drive it forward.
Hoda’s Decision: A Tribute to Family
Hoda Kotb, now 60 and a proud mom of two daughters, Haley and Hope, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, has always been open about her priorities. Her decision to step away from Today stems from a desire to give her daughters the attention they deserve. In a heartfelt moment during a September 26 episode of Today, Hoda explained, “I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on. And then I thought about it—obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”
Katie fully supports this decision, saying, “She’s got these two little kids. She has been working these hours a long time. She wants to make breakfast for her girls in the morning and take them to school. I know she’s coparenting, but she’s a single parent a lot of the time.” The empathy in her words shines through, highlighting the importance of balancing career and family life.
Katie is genuinely excited to see where Hoda's journey takes her next. “She’s got these two little kids. She has been working these hours a long time. She wants to make breakfast for her girls in the morning and take them to school. I know she’s coparenting, but she’s a single parent a lot of the time,” Katie said, emphasizing the importance of Hoda’s decision to prioritize her family.
Hoda has already hinted at her plans to venture into the wellness space, inspired by influential figures like Maria Shriver. Katie is optimistic about this new direction, saying, “The media’s changing… There are a lot of different ways to have an audience and to have a relationship with viewers, so I’m excited for her to expand her horizons and diversify her portfolio.”
And Katie knows a thing or two about reinvention. After 15 years on Today, she left in 2006 but hasn’t slowed down since. As the founder of Katie Couric Media, a bestselling author, and a media trailblazer, she understands the power of evolving with the times. Her encouragement for Hoda is a reminder that stepping away from one role doesn’t mean stepping away from greatness—it’s often the start of something even more fulfilling.
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