Hoda Kotb has been candid about her decision to step away from the "Today" show, and it all comes down to something many working parents can relate to: mom guilt. The beloved TV personality, who is mom to daughters Haley and Hope, revealed that balancing work and family life became overwhelming, especially as her kids grow up faster than she ever imagined.
Hoda's Honest Take on Mom Guilt
During a heartfelt interview with People, the 60-year-old Hoda Kotb admitted that the pressure of juggling a demanding career with being the best mom she could be was tough. “There’s this guilt that you carry because you can’t give 100 percent to both work and home,” she shared. “If you want to be excellent at work, something has to give at home. And if you want to be excellent at home, doing all the things that make you a great parent, something has to give at work. It’s just not possible to split it evenly.”
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Hoda’s words reflect a universal struggle many parents face. The reality is, we can’t do it all, and sometimes, we have to make choices that prioritize what matters most to us. For Hoda, that meant stepping back from her long-standing role on "Today" to focus more on her daughters.
A Bittersweet Goodbye to 'Today'
Hoda made the emotional announcement to her "Today" audience on September 26, explaining her decision to leave the show in early 2025. “I had my kiddos late in life, and I realized they deserve a bigger piece of my time,” she explained to her colleagues and viewers. “We only have a finite amount of time, and I want to be there for them as they grow up.”
This isn’t the end of Hoda’s journey with NBC, though. She’ll remain part of the network family, just in a different capacity. Her daughters, Haley and Hope, couldn’t be more excited about having their mom around more. “I told them, ‘Mommy will be able to take you to school,’” Hoda recalled during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “They asked, ‘Wednesday?’ ‘No, honey, not Wednesday.’ ‘Next week?’ ‘No, honey, not next week. Probably sometime in January or February.’”
Life After 'Today'
Hoda’s new schedule will look a lot different once she steps away from her morning duties. For years, she’s been waking up at 3:15 a.m. to get to the studio on time. But now, she’s ready for a change. “They need a little more of me, and I need more of them,” she shared. “I think everything is going to work out beautifully.”
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Hoda’s decision is a testament to the importance of prioritizing family, even when it means stepping back from a career you love. She’s proving that success isn’t just about what you do at work—it’s also about the moments you create with the people who matter most.
A Fresh Start in the Suburbs
Hoda recently made a big move with her family, relocating to the suburbs where she’s been able to enjoy some quality time with her daughters. On the first day of school, she walked Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, to class—a moment she’ll cherish forever. “We went for our first day of school,” she told Jenna Bush Hager during a September 4 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna. “I carried a coffee, had my sneakers on, and walked my kids to school. It was awesome!”
Though moving out of their NYC apartment wasn’t easy, Hoda knows it was the right decision for her girls. “We’ve had seven amazing years in the city with the kids, but I also think kids need to have their feet in the grass and dirt,” she explained. It’s clear that Hoda is committed to giving her daughters the best childhood possible, even if it means making sacrifices in her career.
