Hoda Kotb will be leaving her morning talk show to spend more time with her family. On Thursday, September 26, The Today Show host announced it by releasing a letter in which she said that although it was difficult, she believes she made the right decision.
On Thursday’s broadcast of the show, Kotb broke down in tears as she shared that she wants to spend more of her time with the people closest to her on the show. When Kotb got emotional, she was surrounded by her co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager and Al Roker.
Fighting back tears, the talk show host said, “It’s time for me to turn the page at 60 and move on to something new.” The Today show made public Kotb’s letter, which said, “As I write this, my heart is going all over the place.”
She further wrote, “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s painful. And the reason for that is all of you. They say two things can only be right at the same time, and I feel that very deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
Extending their support to the beloved TV host, the co-hosts also shared their heartfelt and good luck messages for Hoda Kotb. Guthrie said that she is proud of her friend, who is looking forward to starting a new innings in her life. The TV star also praised her co-host’s courage as she left the show while she was at the top of her game.
Also read: ‘It’s about trust’: Hoda Kotb shares the importance of the phrase ‘at the right time’ in her life at 60
Guthrie said, “Hoda, we love you so much, and when you look around and see these tears, they’re love, because you are so loved. Honestly, I don’t think any of us can imagine — we don’t even want to imagine — this place without you. It’s complicated because we love you so much and we don’t want you to ever leave, but I just want to say I’m so proud of my friend.”
She added, “You have so much courage. You inspire me. I love you, and it’s not over yet. I’m coming home to you.”
Kotb further explained during her time on the show that she had been considering the decision for a few months, but “celebrating my sixtieth birthday on the plaza felt like a paradigm shift. Like a big, joyous yes, you are! I saw it all very clearly: my broadcasting career has been more than fruitful, I have a new decade of life ahead of me, and now my daughters and my mother need and deserve a bigger piece of my time.”
Although the TV host has decided to leave the morning talk show, she will still be a part of the NBC channel until early 2025.
Also read: ‘I had a party…’: Hoda Kotb reveals how she celebrated her 60th birthday
