It is the end of an era for Hoda Kotb, who is closing the curtain on a beloved role after 26 years with NBC. In a shocking move, the star broadcast journalist announced her decision to leave the Today show after 17 years. Kotb got emotional while explaining her choice, but that didn’t stop fans from feeling slighted.
The NBC correspondent broke the news live on-air during Thursday’s episode. She was surrounded by colleagues Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, and more. “I do have some news. So I was doing the math and realized that I have spent 26 years at NBC,” Kotb began while fighting back tears. “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old because I started thinking about that decade. Like, ‘What does that decade mean? What does it hold? What it’s gonna have for me?” Kotb said she realized it was time to “turn the page at 60” and “try something new.”
“I decided this is the right time for me to kind of move on…And so with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world. I’m not gonna be here past the first of the year. I’m gonna stay in the NBC family, but it’s kind of a big deal for me.”
An emotional Kotb explained that she made the decision because her kids “deserve a bigger piece of her time pie.”
Hoda Kotb’s Announcement Leaves Fans Feeling Sad
Hoda’s emotional words had fans reeling. Many expressed disappointment as she had been a staple in their everyday routine. “I can’t imagine watching the Today’s show without Hoda, but I completely understand,” one fan lamented. “Nothing but best wishes for you and your family.” A similar comment read:
“This is the worst news…@hodakotb has always been a joy to watch and as a journalist, someone I have admired. Congrats, Hoda – but you will be missed. Thank you for being the person you are.”
Kotb first joined Today in 2007 as a substitute co-anchor while also serving as co-host of Today‘s fourth hour. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that she was named Today co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie, filling in after Matt Lauer was fired amid sexual harassment allegations. Kotb has yet to share what her next chapter with NBC will be, but fans are certainly not counting down to her exit.
