“Hoda Kotb Says Goodbye to TODAY — But One Hidden Detail Has Sparked a Nationwide Debate .QN”

Hoda Kotb’s departure from the Today show marks the end of an era — and the beginning of something deeply personal. After nearly 18 years on NBC’s flagship morning program, the beloved anchor is stepping away from the spotlight to embrace a new chapter focused on family, fulfillment, and balance.

In a heartfelt letter to colleagues, Hoda confessed that while saying goodbye was “painful,” the decision came from love — for her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. Having joined Today in 2007, Hoda became one of the most recognizable and trusted faces in morning television, making history as part of the first all-female anchor duo alongside Savannah Guthrie in 2018. Yet after decades of 3 a.m. wake-up calls, breaking news, and unforgettable moments, the veteran journalist realized it was time to give her family “a bigger slice of my time pie.”

Her final broadcast is set for January 10, a day NBC is celebrating as part of a weeklong “Hoda-bration” filled with tributes, laughter, and surprise reunions — including 70 of her former college sorority sisters. As she prepares to sign off for the last time, the emotion surrounding her departure underscores the bond she built with viewers who saw her as both a professional role model and a trusted friend.

Stepping into her place will be Today co-host Craig Melvin, who Hoda praised as “the right person for this job,” while Jenna Bush Hager will continue the show’s final hour with rotating co-hosts under a new title — Today with Jenna & Friends.

But this isn’t goodbye for good. Hoda has plans to launch a wellness platform and lead retreats focused on mindfulness, self-discovery, and balance — a continuation of her life philosophy that has always emphasized gratitude and growth. After moving her family to the suburbs of New York, she’s looking forward to simpler pleasures: walking her daughters to school, cooking breakfast, and — for once — sleeping past dawn.

“I’m not running away from something,” Hoda said in an interview. “I’m running toward my life.”

As the curtain falls on one of morning TV’s most iconic partnerships, Hoda’s decision resonates beyond the screen — a reminder that even at the peak of success, choosing yourself and your family can be the bravest story of all.