Yahoo Lifestyle Hoda Kotb Breaks Down After Tearful Goodbyes From Her 'Today' Co-Hosts
It's official: Hoda Kotb has left the Today show building.
A staple on the NBC morning program since her September 2007 debut, the beloved news host signed off for the last time as a co-anchor on January 10, alongside Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, Carson Daly and the rest of the cast and crew.
At the start of her final day on Today, Hoda sat next to Savannah and shared: "I am feeling full, overflowing and protected, because I'm next to this girl... I feel loved and held. That's how I feel today." The clip was posted on the Today show's Instagram page.
Hoda's Today family shared emotional goodbyes on the air and on social media in her honor. Here are the top sendoffs from members of the Today cast:
Jenna Bush Hager
As Hoda's right hand for the well-loved fourth hour of Today, Jenna Bush Hager penned a heartfelt letter showing how much having Hoda in her corner has meant all these years. When Hoda saw a video of Jenna reading the note, she teared up with emotion.
"Dearest Hoda," Jenna began in the clip posted on Instagram. "Five years. More than 1,500 shows. 90,000 minutes, 9,000 commercial breaks filled with Shaboozey, Beyonce, constant laughter and soul-affirming conversations... I'll never forget sitting in your dressing room telling you I was pregnant with Hal. Then a month later, you FaceTime me, introducing me to baby Hope. They were right on time. Hope. What a word. A feeling you've given so many. Hope to live their purpose, to whisper their dreams, even if it's just to themselves. To create their own families their own way."
Hoda, you have been a teacher. You have taught me to find the joy in the small... and now, my dearest, you are teaching us the most important lesson of all: how to say goodbye with grace," Jenna added. "This isn't just any "Hod-ini," driving off with my purse still in your car. You've been able to sit in the glow of the goodbye... Thank you, Hoda for everything you have taught me, everything you've given me. All the hugs, all the heart, all the laughs, all the love. I will miss you, my friend, but I love you, and I'm so proud. Love always and forever, Jenna."
Savannah Guthrie
After seven years of co-anchoring the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours with Hoda, Savannah Guthrie went on Instagram to share a simple message about how she feels on her friend's exit.
"All my 💛," she wrote alongside a montage of photos of their first and last days sharing the screen together.
Craig Melvin
As Craig prepares to take Hoda's place as co-anchor alongside Savannah for the time slot, he couldn't let Hoda leave without paying a heartfelt tribute to her on Instagram.
"Hoda is the definition of compassion, love, and has been the heartbeat of @todayshow," he captioned the post. "I am so grateful to have you as a colleague and a close friend. Cheers to you. It’s not goodbye. It’s a see you later. I love you. Thank you. ❤️."
Al Roker
When speaking in a video for Today ahead of Hoda's exit, Al couldn't stop praising how kind and generous she is to her loved ones. He also shared how when he was in the hospital for blood clots in his legs in late 2022, she visited him throughout his entire stay and kept his spirits up.
"I think everything she does, she leads with her heart," he stated in the clip posted on Instagram. "Probably one of the most selfless people I know... I was gravely ill. I never had any idea how sick I was. I was in the hospital, and I think Hoda was there, if not every day, almost every day. It wasn't like, 'Oh, Al.' It was 'Al!'"
Laura Jarrett
"One of one," the frequent Today contributor and Weekend Today host wrote in a heartfelt message on Instagram. "@hodakotb, can’t wait to see your next chapter 🤎."
Carson Daly
When reminiscing about the time Carson Daly spent with Hoda on Today, he spoke about how one song reminded him of her.
"I really cherish our friendship, always will," he stated in a video posted on YouTube. "I think about her time on the show, and I think about a song called 'All My Love.' I feel like that almost represents how we feel about Hoda. She has all our love, and always will. Hoda, I hope you get some good quality time with your little ones at home. I'm excited to see what the future holds for you. I love you."
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