Key Takeaways:
• Hoda Kotb unveils her decision to step away from the TODAY Show after a fruitful 17-year stint.
• Citing family commitments, Kotb reveals her intentions to devote more time to her daughters and mother.
• The esteemed TV anchor will continue with the show until the early part of 2025.
• Kotb assures fans that she will remain a part of the NBC family post-TODAY.
Hoda Kotb Bids Farewell To The TODAY Show
Popular television anchor Hoda Kotb brought a wave of surprise and sadness among her numerous fans worldwide when she announced her departure from the renowned TODAY show on Thursday, September 26. Having graced the NBC show for almost two decades, Kotb has chosen to carve a different path for herself, making her departure all the more poignant.
In a heartfelt letter to her co-anchors and coworkers, she shared her emotional dilemma regarding this massive decision. She wrote, “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why.”
A Look Back At Hoda Kotb’s Journey
Kotb’s association with NBC spans a whopping 26 years. Before joining the TODAY show, she spent a fulfilling decade at NBC’s Dateline. Reflecting on her illustrious career, she expressed her gratitude for the experiences, “My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life.”
Sincerely reminiscing her journey, Kotb stated, “Twenty-six years at NBC News — Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour.”
Reason Behind Hoda Kotb’s Decision
The stepping-into-the-sixties moment for Kotb seemed to have been instrumental in deciding her career path. She stated her 60th birthday celebration as a shift that catalyzed her decision-making process, saying that her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, and mother, deserve more of her time.
Affirming her decision, the poised anchor expressed, “I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now, my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.”
What Happens Next?
Fans dreading Kotb’s sudden exit can rest easy as she confirmed that she is not leaving the show immediately. Instead, she will continue working for TODAY until the early portion of 2025, giving viewers ample time to prepare for the departure.
While it is unclear if Kotb will join another TV program post-TODAY, she reassures fans that she will stay connected with the NBC family.
In her own words, Kotb assures, “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”
Kotb’s decision is a testament to her commitment towards family and her passion for television. While it is indeed a sad time for her fans, we are certain that, with her dedication and zeal, she is set to embark on a new heartwarming journey.
As we wait for more details on what the future holds for Hoda Kotb, it is readily apparent that she has etched an indelible mark in the history of NBC and the hearts of her beloved viewers.