https://x.com/todayshow/status/1839280777323806812?s=46
Hoda Kotb became emotional while sharing her unexpected decision to leave the “Today” show during Thursday morning’s broadcast.
“Saying farewell to something this extraordinary is tough,” the veteran journalist, 60, expressed with tears during the latest installment of “Today With Hoda and Jenna.”
“I grappled with this decision a lot,” Kotb reflected. “Then I thought, ‘You know, this decade is about choosing me.’ It became clear that stepping away was the right choice.”
Co-host Jenna Bush Hager was equally affected, admitting that her initial response to Kotb’s decision was a heartfelt “no.”
“I told her, ‘No! You can’t go, because what we have created here is something magical and powerful. You are my go-to during joyful moments and times of uncertainty,’” Bush Hager remarked through teary eyes.
Acknowledging their bond, Kotb noted that their experiences together were “one in a million,” but expressed her desire to focus more on her two adopted daughters, Haley and Hope, as she enters this new chapter of life.
“I realized this is the peak moment for me,” she said. “When you have kids later in life, every second counts. I want my daughters to have more of my time.”
After more than five years as a co-anchor, Kotb announced she would be leaving “Today” and “Today with Hoda and Jenna.”
“It’s time for me to embrace change at 60 and explore new opportunities,” she shared, recalling the moment she felt surrounded by supporters holding signs that made her realize this was the pinnacle of her career.
“I’m stepping away because I know it’s the right time,” she added.
The transition also includes discussions about who will take over her role for the fourth hour of “Today.” Kotb reassured Bush Hager that her successor would find it easy, given the established dynamic.
Kotb, who has been with NBC for nearly three decades, mentioned that her daughters influenced her decision, particularly after the family’s recent relocation to the suburbs of New York City.
“Having kids later in life reminds you of the limited time we have,” she said. “This was an incredibly difficult choice for me.”
She will remain with “Today” until January 2025, continuing to work with NBC in an unspecified capacity.
Reflecting on the emotional journey, Kotb penned a heartfelt letter to her “Today” family, expressing her conflicting feelings about the exit.
“My heart feels scattered as I write this,” she admitted. “Even though I believe I’m making the right choice, it doesn’t lessen the pain.”
Kotb expressed her love for her colleagues, recognizing them as the reason behind her emotional turmoil.
“They say two things can be true at once, and I’m living that reality. I love you all, but it’s time for me to move on.”
The beloved anchor also took a moment to express gratitude to close friends within the network, including Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, and Bush Hager.
“Savannah has been my rock, Jenna, my ride-or-die, and Al has been my friend at 30 Rock for over three decades,” she wrote.
Though saying goodbye was difficult, Kotb reaffirmed that her daughters and her mother “deserve a larger share of my time.”
