Hoda Kotb announced in September 2024 that she would leave TODAY; her final broadcast came on January 10, 2025. On that last day, Jenna Bush Hager read a farewell letter reflecting on their five years hosting together. The two moments are often blended in searches for “Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager tearfully discuss Hoda’s TODAY show exit,” but they happened months apart.
When did Hoda Kotb announce she was leaving TODAY?
Kotb announced her plan to leave TODAY on September 26, 2024, saying she expected to depart early the following year. The Associated Press reported that turning 60 helped clarify the decision: she wanted her daughters and her mother to have more of her time. In her announcement, as quoted by the AP, Kotb said: “I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.” Read the Associated Press report.
What happened on Kotb’s final day?
Kotb’s last broadcast was January 10, 2025. The Washington Post described an emotional, celebratory sendoff involving her colleagues, including Bush Hager. On the same day, the official TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle channel published Bush Hager reading a farewell letter to Kotb.
Bush Hager’s letter
The official video description says the letter reflected on the five years the two women hosted together. It quotes Bush Hager: “You’re teaching us the most important lesson of all – how to say goodbye with grace.” Watch the official TODAY farewell video.
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How long did Kotb work on TODAY?
Kotb’s departure concluded a 17-year run on TODAY, according to The Washington Post. That is distinct from the five years she and Bush Hager hosted together, as described by the official TODAY channel. CBS News characterized Kotb as leaving after five years as co-anchor of the first two hours. The AP reported that she joined NBC News in 1998 and TODAY in 2007; those are separate career milestones, not the same tenure. The Washington Post’s account of her final show and CBS News’ report on her departure provide additional role and timeline context.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why was the farewell emotional?
The farewell joined a long-running professional partnership with Kotb’s public explanation for leaving: she wanted to make more room for her family as she entered a new decade of life. Bush Hager’s letter framed the moment as a goodbye between colleagues who had hosted together for five years. The public accounts establish those reasons and context without requiring assumptions about either woman’s private feelings.
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