Yahoo Lifestyle See Hoda Kotb's Incredible 'Today' Show Career in Photos
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It's officially the end of an era on the Today show.
When Hoda Kotb first appeared on the NBC morning series in 2007, no one expected she'd experience such incredible highs and lows over the years. Between health scares, transitions with new hosts and plenty of personal milestones, viewers got to see Hoda's evolution into the iconic presence morning show fans have come to know and love.
As Hoda makes her official exit from the Today show on January 10, 2025, it's only fair we say a proper goodbye to the beloved member of the Today family. Of course, with Craig Melvin succeeding her as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie, Hoda's job is in good hands.
Ahead, take a look at some of the best moments from Hoda's incredible journey on Today. Starting all the way from the beginning almost two decades ago, we're highlighting Hoda's career achievements on the air over the years. We can't wait to see what she does next.
GH EXCLUSIVE: Hoda Kotb Reveals What's Next for Her After She Leaves 'Today'
September 2007: Hoda Joins 'Today'
After working working for NBC News since 1998, Hoda made her Today debut as one of the inaugural co-hosts of the show's fourth hour. She hosted the segment alongside co-anchors Ann Curry and Natalie Morales.
October 2007: Hoda Shares Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis
One month after making her Today debut, Hoda opened up about her journey battling breast cancer. After her gynecologist found a lump during a March 2007 annual checkup, she later underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery to treat the disease.
"This is an incredible platform to be able to help people. Now I walk down Broadway, and women hug me — and many have been through far worse," she stated at the time, per People. "My god, no matter what you've been through, someone has been through worse, and it's our responsibility as human beings to help people."
March 2008: Kathie Lee Gifford Joins Hoda for 'Today' Fourth Hour
In early 2008, TV host Kathie Lee Gifford replaced Ann Curry and Natalie Morales to become Hoda's fourth hour co-host. Thus, Today With Kathie Lee and Hoda was born, and was on the air for 11 years before Kathie Lee exited the NBC series in 2019.
RELATED: 'Today' Fans Missed Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford's Wholesome Reunion
October 2009: Hoda Gets Into 'Star Wars'
For Today's annual "Halloween on the Plaza" special, Hoda found herself dressing up as one of the most iconic movie characters of all time. For the show's Star Wars theme, she donned prosthetic makeup to become Jedi master Yoda.
RELATED: 'Today' Show Halloween Costumes Throughout the Years
October 2010: Hoda Debuts Her Memoir
In October 2010, Hoda became a first-time author with the debut of her memoir Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee. The book detailed the high and lows of her life thus far, and this was only the beginning of what would become a successful writing career alongside her work on Today.
2011: Hoda Works Out With Jane Fonda
In 2011, Hoda, Kathie Lee and future The View star Sara Haines got the chance to work out on the air with fitness expert and legendary actress Jane Fonda.
October 2011: Hoda Co-Hosts With Kelly Clarkson
American Idol winner and future TV host Kelly Clarkson joined Hoda on Today in 2011, taking over for Kathie Lee as co-host ahead of Halloween. Even back then, it was clear Kelly had a talent for hosting daytime television.
October 2011: Hoda Gets Into the Royal Spirit
For Halloween 2011, Hoda and Kathie Lee channeled Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie dressed for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.
July 2012: Hoda Goes to the Olympics
In her first coverage of the iconic Olympic Games, Hoda ventured over to London to cover the sporting event alongside Savannah, Natalie and Al Roker.
2014: Foreshadowing 'Today With Hoda and Jenna'
Jenna Bush Hager initially joined Today as a correspondent back in 2009 and would over the years sit with Hoda when Kathie Lee was absent from the show. Their chemistry was dynamic from the beginning, as they would later team up for Today With Hoda and Jenna beginning in 2019.
August 2014: Hoda Turns 50!
To celebrate a milestone birthday, Hoda hung out with Today fans for an on-air party in Rockefeller Plaza. As part of the festivities, she received a three-layer cake, a ride to work in a 1964 Mustang driven by actor Dean Cain, and she had a dance party DJ'd by Lil Jon.
2015: Live With Regis, Kathie Lee and Hoda!
In 2015, Regis Philbin appeared on Today, where he reunited with Kathie Lee and Hoda during the fourth hour. He also had to joke around and attempt to take over their jobs, leaving Hoda in stitches on the air.
2017: Hoda Becomes a Mom
In February 2017, Hoda heartfully announced she adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy. Three months later, viewers got an emotional Mother's Day surprise when Hoda brought Haley to hang out with her co-anchors.
2018: Hoda Becomes a 'Today' Co-Anchor
When Matt Lauer was dismissed from NBC in late 2017, Savannah Guthrie revealed Hoda would take his spot and become her co-anchor for the 7 a.m.-9 a.m. hours. She made her official debut in January 2018, and continued in the role until her January 2025 exit.
"It’s such a lucky situation, because you work with someone and to love them so much — we really have each other's backs," Savannah told Good Housekeeping in February 2024 of the duo's bond. "I mean, that's such a joy, especially when you’re getting up in the middle of the night to work. We’re so similar in so many ways. We became moms late in life, you know? Now, we're doing these crazy hours."
April 2019: Hoda Welcomes Her Second Child
Two years after adopting Haley, Hoda announced on Today the birth of her second daughter, Hope Catherine. At the time of the big reveal, she went on X (formerly Twitter) to share her gratitude for all the messages she received.
Hi.... just a note to say thank you... for all the love," she wrote at the time. "I am reading every single one of your messages...every single one...my heart is bursting.... ❤️❤️❤️."
April 2019: Kathie Lee Says Goodbye to 'Today'
After 11 years of sitting alongside Hoda, Kathie Lee exited Today in April 2019. Their final episode saw plenty of laughter, tears and kind words about how much Hoda's support has meant to her.
"God brought Hoda into my life for all kinds of different reasons," Kathie Lee said at the time, per TODAY.com. "I was supposed to learn from her. She was supposed to learn from me. We were supposed to share life together.”"
April 2019: 'Today With Hoda and Jenna' Kicks Off
Just after Kathie Lee exited Today, folks got to see the inaugural segment of Today With Hoda and Jenna. Picking up from where Kathie Lee left off, Jenna and Hoda got into the latest in pop culture and interviewing the most well-known celebrities.
RELATED: Hoda Kotb Had the Sweetest Answer to What She'll Miss Most About the 'Today' Show
May 2019: Hoda Wins a Daytime Emmy
In May 2019, Hoda won a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Talk Show Host alongside Kathie Lee. The latter called into Today after the duo's win, and Hoda had some amazing words about the experience.
"This was kind of the last Emmy Award ceremony for our show," Hoda said, per TODAY.com. "The fact that there you were on that stage holding that hardware was so amazing. That's how you put a period on the end of a sentence."
September 2023: Hoda Officiates a Wedding
Hoda gained another title in her growing work achievements: ordained minister. Out in Rockefeller Plaza, she officiated a wedding for Ben Herbert and Mindy Shore — with Al there to bear witness!
June 2024: Hoda Interviews Céline Dion
Céline Dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause painful muscle spasms and involuntary stiffness. Ahead of the premiere of the singer's Amazon Prime Video documentary I Am: Céline Dion, Hoda sat down with her to talk about her recovery and return to performing.
August 2024: Hoda Celebrates Her 60th Birthday
Another milestone, another party in Rockefeller Plaza! Hoda celebrated turning 60 years old, with country bands Little Big Town and Sugarland performing. She also had her fellow co-hosts alongside her as she entered this next stage of her life.
September 2024: Hoda Announces She's Leaving 'Today'
After 17 years of working on Today, Hoda surprised viewers by announcing her plans to leave the show in early 2025. When sharing the reason behind her decision, she explained that she had a gut feeling it was time to try something new.
"I realized it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new," she stated at the time in a clip posted on Instagram. "I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on... With all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world."
October 2024: Hoda Channels Jack Dawson
For her final "Halloween on the Plaza" special, she and Jenna dipped into the world of Titanic and portrayed Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater. Hoda also joked how her wig reminded her of her teenage self, which she wasn't expecting to feel again.
November 2024: Craig Melvin Is Announced as Hoda's Replacement
In November 2024, folks learned Craig Melvin would be the next host to co-anchor the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours in Hoda's place. Additionally, Jenna announced her new show without Hoda would feature rotating guest hosts, titled Today With Jenna and Friends.
RELATED: 'Today' Show Anchor Craig Melvin's Career Timeline
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