Yahoo Lifestyle 'Today' Co-Hosts Share Tearjerking Messages to Hoda Kotb After Resignation: 'You Are So Loved'
Hoda Kotb's Today family is already mourning the day she doesn't return to their studio at Rockefeller Plaza.
The co-anchor announced her impending retirement from the morning news program during the broadcast on Thursday, Sept. 26, leaving her co-workers feeling emotional throughout the episode. In fact, several Today stars showered her in love with heartfelt tributes.
Dylan Dreyer took to Instagram with a photo, taken from behind, of Kotb carrying Dreyer's son, Ollie, at the beach.
"This is my favorite picture of @hodakotb," she wrote alongside it. "Ollie was having a meltdown, no one could soothe him, Hoda picks him up, wraps her arm around him, and he wrapped his right around her too."
"She comforts, she loves, she cares…it’s why we all love her," Dreyer continued. "Way beyond her talent as an anchor, she’s the friend we all want and need. I love you Hoda and I applaud you for trusting your gut and making this next step in your life. You do everything with enthusiasm and I can’t wait to watch you soar!"
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager took the opportunity to give their tributes in person, sharing lovely things during the broadcast after Kotb made the bittersweet announcement.
In a video uploaded to the morning show's official Instagram account, Kotb sat in the middle of a couch with Guthrie and Bush Hager seated on either side, with all three women grasping hands in the middle.
“Hoda, we love you so much,” Guthrie told her through tears. “And when you look around and you see these tears, they’re love. And it’s—you are so loved. And honestly, I don’t think any of us can imagine; we don’t want to imagine this place without you."
She added, "So it’s complicated because we love you so much, and we don’t want you to ever go. But also, I just want to say I am so proud of my friend. You have guts. For someone to leave at the top of their game, to leave something that’s wonderful, that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun, and say, ‘But I dream even bigger for myself.’ Into the great unknown. You have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you.”
“Yes, and it’s not over,” Bush Hager added. “Because I’m going to be showing up at your house like the stalker you are to Zac Brown. I can be there on your doorstep. And we are your friends forever.”
Kotb will stick around for a few more months, with her final day scheduled in early 2025. She's also not departing the network just yet, although she hasn't yet revealed how she plans to stay involved.
