Today is going to look a bit less sunny next year. Morning show fans were in for a shock today when Hoda Kotb dropped live on air that she is retiring from the NBC mainstay in the coming months.
Kotb has worked at NBC for almost 30 years, with previous roles at Dateline and Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda. In recent years, she has served as Today co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie — a role she’s held since 2017 — and also co-hosts a DECIDER favorite, Today with Hoda and Jenna. She will leave both roles at the end of 2024, per Variety.
Kotb revealed the news of her exit on this morning’s Today, where she said a recent milestone birthday got her reflecting more on her life.
“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” she said, per Today.com. “I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.’ And I thought it can’t get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on.”
Kotb further explained her decision to leave the show in a letter to her NBC colleagues. Today.com, which published the letter, notes Kotb “will remain part of the NBC family” after her retirement.
“I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. 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,” she shared. “I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
Kotb also gave shout-outs to her NBC co-workers, writing, “Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you at TODAY desperately.”
The co-anchor noted in her letter that she’ll “be working through the beginning of 2025,” and added, “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. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”