Yahoo Lifestyle People Are Sharing Incredibly Heartwarming Stories About Hoda Kotb After She Revealed She's Leaving The "Today" Show
On Thursday, Hoda Kotb announced that she's leaving TODAY after 16 years.
Hoda has two high-profile jobs on the morning show. She joined the 10 o'clock hour in 2007, first co-hosting with Ann Curry and Natalie Morales, before Kathie Lee Gifford took over as Hoda's sole co-host in 2008. After Kathie left in 2019, Jenna Bush Hager became Hoda's co-host.
In 2015, Hoda also became TODAY's main co-anchor, succeeding Matt Lauer. Hoda is paired with Savannah Guthrie, the senior and longtime co-anchor.
While sitting alongside Savannah, Jenna, and fellow TODAY hosts Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Sheinelle Jones during Thursday morning's broadcast, Hoda announced she'll leave the show sometime in the new year.
As she told her co-hosts, Hoda's impetus for leaving was turning 60 in August and realizing "it was time for [her] to turn the page" and "try something new." Hoda also said she wanted to spend more time with her two children.
Hoda has worked for NBC for 26 years, including before joining TODAY. The journalist clarified that she's not leaving NBC, just her roles at TODAY.
Still, the news of her impending departure from the morning show surprised viewers, many of whom grew to adore seeing her on their TV screens daily.
Some were simply not ready for the news:
Lower the flags to half mast https://t.co/pshCOe5OOl
— iconnorpop (@iconnnorpop) September 26, 2024
@iconnnorpop/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @iconnnorpop
Literally down bad crying at the gym watching this rn https://t.co/MgPgX6XP0N
— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) September 26, 2024
@gibsonoma/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @gibsonoma
The Today Show and @hodakotb became such a special part of my day during COVID. Despite being stuck at home alone, her voice signaled a new day had begun and it was time to get moving. ❤️ https://t.co/CQKFBvFm5H
— Lukas Pietrzak (@Ltpietrzak) September 26, 2024
@Ltpietrzak/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @Ltpietrzak
My absolute fave! Devastated! But as a mom, I get it. Our time with our kids is finite and she’s making the choice that’s best for her daughters. Love you @hodakotb ❤️♥️❤️♥️ https://t.co/euf9meihJ8
— Joce Sterman (@jocefromthenews) September 26, 2024
@jocefromthenews/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @jocefromthenews
Others shared stories of meeting Hoda and noticing how sweet and kind she was to them:
I LOVE @hodakatebi One of my FAVS on tv. Years ago, I was in the NBC building and met Hoda in the hallway. A stranger, she hugged me like we were old friends, felt like I'd known her for years. A sweet, kind, genuine person who left a mark on me then and now. All the best Hoda! https://t.co/WrQbVp8LQC
— Marni Hughes (@MarniHughesTV) September 26, 2024
@MarniHughesTV/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @MarniHughesTV
Congratulations on a phenomenal run to @hodakotb! I was lucky to meet her as a college student desperate for advice and validation. She graciously provided both ❤️ https://t.co/LFmEMNtevL
— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) September 26, 2024
@weijia/Twitter / Via Twitter: @weijia
One of my favorite days at work was interviewing Hoda and Savannah last year in between commercials and in their dressing rooms. Both so welcoming and encouraging. I literally clipped a minute of the audio and labeled “Hoda and Savannah complimenting me” for days I was down https://t.co/I4SMlovQZ5
— Naledi Ushe (@naledi_ushe) September 26, 2024
@naledi_ushe/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @naledi_ushe
Several of her NBCUniversal colleagues spoke highly of their time working or crossing paths with her:
we’d all be lucky to be a little more like @hodakotb. authentic, kind, caring. the same on camera and off. the sporadic time we’ve shared on that couch has also doubled as extraordinary learning experiences as a broadcaster and person for me. thrilled for and grateful to her. ❤️ https://t.co/v6ivnN4Fka
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) September 26, 2024
@jacobsoboroff/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @jacobsoboroff
For as amazing as Hoda is on @TODAYshow , she is an even more beloved colleague off camera. She is a genuine light. A generous and kind colleague who I admire. Here’s to your best chapter ye, Hoda! 🥂 https://t.co/IIABIHbnB0
— Anne Thompson (@annenbcnews) September 26, 2024
@annenbcnews/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @annenbcnews
Hoda is all-star journalist and an incredible person. Every time I see her in the halls at 30 Rock, I get a giant hug. She’s truly unique in that she is the same person on & off camera. Warm, inviting & always smiling. We love you, Hoda! https://t.co/Zkk2Vn5tWh
— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) September 26, 2024
@JesseRodriguez/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @JesseRodriguez
Finally, a couple even honored her by sharing iconic moments of her time on the show:
https://t.co/GxB1prU2B8 pic.twitter.com/m2tq7LXAKH
— katienolangifs (@katienolangifs) September 26, 2024
@katienolangifs/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @katienolangifs
We should all have a glass of wine for Hoda right the second pic.twitter.com/weVmDdepxM https://t.co/JGPdh6gY9L
— joao (@jfdeux) September 26, 2024
@jfdeux/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @jfdeux
It's sad to think of TODAY without Hoda. Let us know in the comments below your favorite memory of her time on the show!
