By Ashley Ragone
Staff Writer
After first joining the position in 2017, Hoda Kotb has announced she will no longer serve as co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, beginning early next year.
Kotb first joined NBC as a correspondent in 1998, hosting the “Today” show’s weekday morning broadcast in 2007. She took on the role as co-anchor in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct about her predecessor, Matt Lauer, came to light.
Since joining the show, Kotb has become a staple of morning television, celebrated for her positivity, warmth and genuine approach to storytelling. Her growth in the industry has also reflected the growing movement toward inclusivity and representation in broadcasting, with Kotb being a champion for underrepresented voices.
Kotb’s ability to use interviews and real experiences with everyday people to connect with viewers has transcended typical media. She has highlighted both triumphs and adversity with unwavering gratitude and care. She has set a standard of not only delivering the basic facts of news stories but also creating an emotional connection that viewers relate to.
When actress Olivia Munn publicly acknowledged her life-altering breast cancer diagnosis, Kotb reflected on what it meant to her when she received the same news in 2007. In sharing her journey of adopting her daughters with audience members, she also became an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and freedoms. These major life events have been shared by many, leaving viewers to feel less alone in their own experiences.
In addition to her role on the “Today” show, Kotb has made significant contributions to NBC and the general public beyond her on-screen appearances. She has assisted in many charity initiatives, including her advocacy with the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. Her efforts have been acknowledged at several of the foundation’s Gracie Award ceremonies over the years. Her advocacy has extended to breast cancer awareness, Autism awareness, disaster relief and more.
Throughout her broadcasting career, Kotb has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. These include a Daytime Emmy Award for her broadcasting, three Daytime Emmy Awards at “Today” while a member of the general host lineup, and being named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2018 alongside her co-host Savannah Guthrie.
As she steps away from the “Today” show to become an unspecified smaller part of the NBC family, Kotb’s influence on the show and the broadcasting world will likely be felt by her co-hosts and fellow reporters, who have witnessed her approach to journalism.
She has also expressed her desire to dedicate more time to her children. Having adopted her two daughters later in life, she said she realized it was time for something new.
She told her NBC co-hosts, “I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”
In celebrating her motherhood, she wore several pieces of jewelry to symbolize her love for her two daughters, Haley and Hope, showcasing the personal values that guided her decision.
Her colleagues at NBC have expressed their love and support for her decision. Al Roker commented that he has “never known anybody” like her, while Craig Melvin shared that she has the “biggest heart.” Her current co-anchor, Jenna Bush Hager, emphasized that she and her co-hosts will be her “friends forever.”
Kotb will continue hosting “Today” through the end of the year, and then she will remain working at NBC in a smaller capacity, but she has not specifically stated what her new role will entail.
