Hoda Kotb on the set of the TODAY Show on Friday, April 12, 2024,
Nathan Congleton | NBC Universal | Getty Images
Hoda Kotb will step down from her role as co-anchor of NBC’s “TODAY” early next year, she announced in a letter to staff Thursday.
“As I write this, my mind is all over the map,” she wrote. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a tough one, and you’re all the reason for that. People say sometimes two things are right at the same time, but… I feel it so deeply right now. It’s time for you and I to leave the show. ”
Mr. Kotub first joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent and appeared regularly on “Dateline.” In 2007, she became the first host of the fourth hour of TODAY, later joined by Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager. She also co-anchored the show’s 7 a.m. ET time slot with Savannah Guthrie in 2018. They became the first all-female pair to anchor a news program.
In his letter, the veteran journalist thanked the TODAY staff and wrote that celebrating his 60th birthday on the show in August was a sign that he was ready for the next chapter.
Kotub said she would remain at NBCUniversal, but declined to say in what capacity.
“I am happy and grateful that I will continue to be a part of the NBC family. This is fortunately the longest working relationship I have had and one I will always keep in mind.” she wrote. “I’ll be there. How could I not? Family is family, and you guys will always be a part of me.”
Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of CNBC and NBC, which broadcasts “TODAY.”
