The Special Meaning Behind the 'M' Necklace Hoda Kotb Wore to Announce Her “Today ”Show Exit

The broadcaster shared that she would be departing the show after 17 years to spend more time with her two daughters

Hoda Kotb wore a very meaningful piece of jewelry to announce her departure from the Today show.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the anchor shared the news that she's leaving her post after 17 years so she can spend more time with her daughters, Haley Joy, 7, and Hope Catherine, 4.

In a letter to staff of the NBC morning show, Kotb, 60, said in part, "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. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited."

The broadcaster also delivered an emotional speech on-air Thursday morning, during which she was wearing her staple jewelry piece — a gold necklace with an "M" letter charm.

While answering fan questions on a January 2022 episode of Today, Kotb shared the special meaning behind the necklace.

“‘M’ stands for Mom,” she said.

She also pointed out the other two necklaces she wears and explained, "I have 'Haley' and 'Hope' on (one of them). Then I have an 'I love you Mama' on this one. All of them are my girls."

Related: Hoda Kotb Announces She Is Leaving Today Show After 17 Years to Focus on Her Kids: 'Right Decision but Painful'

When cohost Jenna Bush Hager asked, "Do you feel like 'Mom' is the best title?", Kotb quickly agreed.

"The 'M' is so me," she said. "That would be the initial I would want to wear if not my kids' initials. 'Cause who knew that I was gonna get to wear that initial?"

After a 2007 breast-cancer diagnosis left her unable to conceive, Kotb adopted her daughter Haley in 2017. In 2019, she adopted her second daughter, Hope. She shares both girls with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.

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In her letter to NBC staff, Kotb admitted that her "heart is all over the map."

"I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one," she continued in the statement. "And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show."

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She also shared that she'll stay in her current role until the beginning of 2025 and in the new year, will remain on the network in some capacity.

"Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart," Kotb wrote.

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