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Hoda Kotb.
Nathan Congleton/NBCHoda Kotb saying goodbye to Today with a week full of fun and heartfelt celebrations.
The stars of the NBC morning show kicked off Kotb’s “Hoda-bration” on Monday, January 6, to mark its final week of episodes. “We’re going to celebrate you, which is going to be easy. It’s going to be very easy,” Jenna Bush Hager he said on Today With Hoda and Jenna before joking that she couldn’t even “hold my emotions for a minute.”
Kotb announced in September 2024 that she was is leaving Today after nearly 30 years working at NBC, marking her 60th birthday and role as a mother to daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, as the main reasons for her decision.
“I had my children late in my life, and I thought they deserved a bigger piece of my time, the pie I have. I feel like we only have a limited amount of time,” he explained on air at the time. “And so, with all that being said, it’s the hardest thing in the world.”
Hoda Kotb’s nearly 20 years on Nathan Congleton/NBC’s Today show have been full of memorable moments. The television personality announced in September 2024 that she would be leaving the iconic morning show after 26 years on NBC, 16 years as co-host of Today and seven years as Savannah Guthrie’s co-anchor. “I just turned (…)
Kotb week’s “Hoda-bration” will conclude with a special episode of Hoda and Jenna filmed in front of a live studio audience on Friday, January 10. “There will be big surprises, a lot of surprises that Hoda won’t even know about,” Bush Hager, 43, teased on an episode of the series in December 2024.
Following Friday’s episode, Bush Hager will continue to co-host the morning show’s fourth hour as Today With Jenna and Her Friends. She will be joined by a rotating series of guest hosts until a permanent replacement is chosen. Craig Melvinin the meantime, it will took over the role of Kotb like Savannah Guthrie‘ a cogger.
Before his official farewell, scroll down to see the biggest moments from Kotb’s final Today chapters:
A Sorority Surprise
The marching band from Kotb’s alma mater, Virginia Tech, performed at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Monday’s second hour of Today. After Kotb shared a hug with the school’s mascot, HokieBird, Guthrie surprised her colleague with 70 of her Tri Delta sorority sisters.
“They called us two weeks ago, and they said, ‘Can you have some Tri Deltas?'” said one of the sisters. “(Everyone) had gathered, had come from all over the country because we love you.”
A shocked Kotb hugged several members, including the woman who was her “little sister” in the group. “You, I was the pledge coach for this sorority. It meant the absolute world to me,” she said. “I can’t believe you’ve come. I’m shocked!”
Kotb went on to tell her sisters that they had to hang out after the show. “Everyone is in my house! Let’s go!” she exclaimed. “We have to go out today. We have to. We’re making it happen.”
Heartwarming Home Decor
On Monday’s episode Hoda and JennaBush Hager gave Kotb a personal gift from one of his favorite authors, Charlie Mackesyhe wrote The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Mackesy captioned a painting of the book’s title characters with the message: “Hoda, every step you take is a victory. Love Charles.”
Kotb became emotional as she received the gift. “First of all, I love him so much. His book has changed the lives of so many people, including me,” he said. “Actually, I have a framed sketch, just a sketch, in my office, of just a sketch of his book. I can’t believe he did that.”
The news of Hoda Kotb’s Today show exit is bittersweet for her co-hosts. “I just turned 60, and it was a huge moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about that decade, like, what does that decade mean? What is it holding? What will it get me?” Kotb, (…)
Bush Hager continued the fun by playing a special video message sent by Mackesy, 62. “I’m in the rain in London to say I wish you all the luck in the world and all the blessings, and I hope your next step is fun,” he said in the clip. “You’ve given so much and given so much and I hope you love what you’re going to do next. And every step you take is a victory, and thank you for including me on your journey with the book. I am so grateful to you, I will always be so grateful. Thank you, Hoda. “…
A Long Lasting Memoir
During her interview on Monday Hoda and Jenna episode, actress and comedian Michelle Buteau remember how Kotb showed her kindness during the early days of her career.
“You won’t remember this, but about 23 years ago, I was editing local news, WNBC overnight. …and off the (shift) overnight, you came in (at) the morning, and nobody said hello to me. They gave me a tape to edit,” he recalled. “Not only did you say hello to me, you looked into my eyes, through my soul and said, ‘How is your day?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t even know.’ And you’re like, ‘I get it.’
Fans and celebrity guests alike are going to miss seeing Hoda Kotb on Today. On September 26, Kotb, 60, surprised viewers when he announced that he would be leaving the show in early 2025. “I’ve just turned 60, and it was a huge moment for me when I turned 60 because that I (…)
He continued: “You won’t remember, but I did because I was like, ‘Wow, that’s who I want to be. That’s how I want to make people feel: seen.’ No matter what they do, no matter what title they have, you look at somebody and you say, ‘How are you?” And you mean it. And so, that’s how I lead my show and my projects, and it’s the only way to live. So, thank you very much.”
The story made Buteau, 47, and Kotb tear up. “Why did I wear lashes?” Buteau quipped.
