Saying Goodbye: Hoda Kotb’s Heartfelt Announcement on the Today Show
It was a Thursday in late September when the Today Show aired an emotional announcement that left everyone in the studio—and millions of viewers at home—deeply moved. Hoda Kotb revealed her plans to leave the show, a decision that sent shockwaves through the studio, especially for her co-host Savannah Guthrie, who was visibly overcome with emotion.
During the live broadcast, Savannah, 52, wiped away tears as she spoke about the significance of Hoda’s departure. “There’s no way there wasn’t going to be tears,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “Hoda, we love you so much. When you look around and see these tears, they’re not just tears of sadness—they’re tears of love. You are so loved by all of us. Honestly, I don’t think any of us could imagine—nor do we want to imagine—this place without you.”
Savannah’s Tribute to Hoda: A Friend and a Role Model
Savannah continued to express her admiration for Hoda, highlighting her courage and determination. “So it’s complicated because we love you so much, and we don’t want you to ever go,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “But I have to say, I am so proud of my friend. You have guts. For someone to leave at the top of their game, to walk away from something that’s wonderful, that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and safe—that takes immense courage. You’ve inspired me in ways you’ll never fully know. I dream even bigger for myself because of you. You inspire me. I love you.”
Read also:Hoda Kotb Reunites With Ex Joel Schiffman For A Heartwarming Family Gathering
Hoda, 60, first broke the news of her departure in a heartfelt letter to her fellow staffers. In the letter, she poured out her feelings about the difficult but necessary decision. “As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why,” she wrote. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you all, but it’s time for me to leave the show.”
A New Chapter at 60: Hoda Reflects on Her Decision
After celebrating her 60th birthday last month, Hoda, a proud mom to daughters Haley and Hope, felt it was the perfect moment to embark on a new chapter in her life. “I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” she explained. “I remember standing outside, looking at this beautiful group of people holding gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.’ And I thought, it can’t get any better than this. That’s when I decided this is the right time for me to move on.”
Hoda shared that her final Today broadcast will happen sometime in early 2025. However, she reassured fans that she isn’t leaving the NBC family entirely. “Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” the beloved TV host revealed.
Savannah and Hoda made history in 2018 when they became the first-ever pair of female coanchors on Today after Matt Lauer was let go from the network. They celebrated their five-year anniversary as coanchors in 2023. “Can I just say that the stuff that we show on TV is fun, but the stuff I love the most is the stuff that’s not on TV,” Hoda said at the time. “I’m just thinking about our morning—just this morning—and there are so many moments just like that, that happen before the cameras all go on, and we really get to be us.”
