There’s no denying that Jenna Bush Hager is going to miss Hoda Kotb like crazy when the beloved broadcaster departs Today in 2025. The former first daughter recently opened up about just how deeply emotional and challenging this transition is for her. Jenna admitted she was completely blindsided and heartbroken when she learned her co-host would be leaving the iconic talk show.
Emotional Goodbyes: Jenna Reflects on Hoda's Departure
During an episode of Today on Friday, October 25, Jenna, 42, revealed just how much Hoda means to her and her family. “If any of you have ever been in a relationship like this one, where it’s like we’re partners in everything—first of all, when I told my kids Hoda was leaving, I might as well have said Daddy’s leaving, because they were like, ‘Wait, what? Why?’” Jenna shared with viewers. “You know, they couldn’t understand it, and I understood it, even though my heart was broken.”
What makes this goodbye so tough is the deep bond Jenna and Hoda share. They’ve become more than co-workers—they’ve formed a sisterhood. Jenna explained that their partnership goes beyond the screen, extending into their personal lives. Hoda has been a constant presence in Jenna’s family, and her absence will definitely leave a void.
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Jenna's Therapeutic Journey
It’s no surprise that Jenna has been so affected by this news. In fact, she’s been approached by fans who’ve suggested she seek therapy to cope with her emotions. “Which I do,” Jenna joked, drawing laughter from Hoda, who sat beside her. The reality is, Jenna is processing a lot of feelings, and therapy might actually help her navigate this emotional period.
Hoda's Exciting New Chapter
Hoda revealed that her next adventure will focus on the wellness space, a passion she’s nurtured for years. She’s had incredible support from friends like Maria Shriver, who inspired her to take this bold step. “I’ve always been drawn to wellness,” Hoda explained. “It’s something that’s been a part of my life for a long time, and I’m ready to explore it further.”
Jenna is fully supportive of Hoda’s decision, even though it’s bittersweet. “When you love somebody so much the way that I love Hoda, I watched her dream about this,” Jenna said. “She’s talked to me about it. I didn’t know she was going to go away. But I knew that it was in her, this dream.”
“I am so proud of her. Although, I will say I walk around even here, and people are like, ‘Congratulations, Hoda!’ And I feel like the girl that just got dumped,” Jenna joked. “And people are like, ‘You made the best choice, Hoda!’ And I’m like, ‘Did she? Did she make the best choice?’”
A Lifelong Friendship
Despite the changes ahead, Jenna and Hoda’s friendship is here to stay. “It’s not over,” Jenna reassured Hoda during the September 26 episode of Today. “I’m going to be showing up at your house like the stalker you are to Zac Brown. I will be there on your doorstep, and we are your friends forever.”
Hoda, too, is ready to embrace her new journey. “I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” she said. “I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.’ And I thought it can’t get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on.”
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