Hoda Kotb tearfully announced Thursday that she will be leaving TODAY in early 2025, sparking emotional tributes dedicated to the beloved co-anchor.
Hoda shared her news with viewers live on-air Sept. 26. When the show went to commercial break, the TODAY crew gave her a standing ovation.
After her announcement, the TODAY hosts, producers, camerapeople and more stood up to honor and hug Hoda.
Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones and more joined in to applaud Hoda’s 26-year career at NBC News. Online, celebrities and longtime show fans celebrated Hoda’s legacy.
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Hoda announced she would be leaving TODAY surrounded by her co-hosts as many of them teared up alongside her.
“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.”
Hoda shared she made the decision following her 60th birthday celebration on the TODAY Plaza and said she wanted to spend more time with her two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5.
“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,” Hoda said. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.
“And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world,” she added.
TODAY family shares tributes to Hoda, ‘the friend we all want and need’
Al Roker shared an Instagram post dedicated to Hoda Sept. 29 after taking “a little time to process,” he said in his caption.
“I feel nothing but happiness for my dear friend, @hodakotb. She has taught me that it’s not about you but the other person. I have known her forever and it has always been about the other person,” he wrote.
He continued, saying that he credits Hoda’s “circle” with giving her the courage to take this step.
“I love you. And, you ain’t going that far, Sis!” he said.
Al’s wife, Deborah Roberts, had also reacted to the news in a post on X.
“Wow. @hodakotb just announced that she’s stepping away from The Today Show after the first of the new year to pursue other goals and cherish motherhood,” Roberts wrote. “What a bold and thoughtful move for a woman to prioritize herself!”
While Jenna sat next to Hoda during her announcement Thursday morning, she also reacted to her co-host’s news during TODAY With Hoda & Jenna Sept. 26.
“Hoda told me just a couple days ago, and when she told me, my first reaction it was, from my gut, it was almost crazy,” Jenna said on air. “I said ‘No, you can’t leave because what we have here with all of these people.’ What I get to sit next to you and feel is this, it’s what’s between us, and it is magical and powerful, and it feels like that here.”
TODAY co-host Dylan Dreyer was out of the studio for Thursday night’s People’s Choice Country Awards when Hoda made her announcement, and she reacted to the news in an Instagram post.
“This is my favorite picture of @hodakotb,” Dylan wrote in the caption. “Ollie was having a meltdown, no one could soothe him, Hoda picks him up, wraps her arm around him, and he wrapped his right around her too. She comforts, she loves, she cares…it’s why we all love her.”
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Way beyond her talent as an anchor, she’s the friend we all want and need,” Dylan continued. “I love you Hoda and I applaud you for trusting your gut and making this next step in your life. You do everything with enthusiasm and I can’t wait to watch you soar!”
Craig Melvin called Hoda “1 of 1” in his own Instagram post, while celebrating her next step.
“Sad news for the Today family. Fantastic news for Hope and Haley,” he wrote in his caption.
After the show, Savannah re-shared a series of posts dedicated to Hoda and added a glimpse of how she’s taking it.
“Eating my feelings,” she captioned a behind-the-scenes picture of herself on the morning show.
And while Hoda may be leaving TODAY, Carson Daly was quick to cheekily offer her a spot on “The Voice.”
“I know you love music, do you like giant red chairs?” he asked in the comments section of a TODAY Instagram post announcing her departure.
