Hoda Kotb with Haley Joy, Hoda Kotb as Yoda and Hoda Kotb during the 2016 Summer Olympics.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank;Joe Scarnici/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank;Joe Scarnici/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Hoda Kotbwill be missed onToday— but she’s left viewers with lasting memories.In September 2024, the news anchorannounced her exitfromTodayin a heartfelt letter to the show’s cast and crew. She explained that herdaughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, deserve more of her time as they grow up.“I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one,” she wrote. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love youandit’s time for me to leave the show.“On Friday, Jan. 10, Kotb — a mainstay ofTodaysince 2007 — made her final appearance as a co-host.Craig Melvinwill step into her role asSavannah Guthrie’s permanent co-anchor, whileJenna Bush Hagerwill rotate through astarry list of guest co-hosts, includingScarlett Johansson,Keke PalmerandTaraji P. Henson.Here are 10 of Hoda’s greatest hits as theTodayshow host departs from the program after 18 years.
Hoda Kotbwill be missed onToday— but she’s left viewers with lasting memories.
In September 2024, the news anchorannounced her exitfromTodayin a heartfelt letter to the show’s cast and crew. She explained that herdaughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, deserve more of her time as they grow up.
“I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one,” she wrote. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love youandit’s time for me to leave the show.”
On Friday, Jan. 10, Kotb — a mainstay ofTodaysince 2007 — made her final appearance as a co-host.Craig Melvinwill step into her role asSavannah Guthrie’s permanent co-anchor, whileJenna Bush Hagerwill rotate through astarry list of guest co-hosts, includingScarlett Johansson,Keke PalmerandTaraji P. Henson.
Here are 10 of Hoda’s greatest hits as theTodayshow host departs from the program after 18 years.
01of 11
Hoda’s Breast Cancer Journey
Nearly 20 years ago, Kotb used herTodayplatform to document herjourney with breast cancerafter she discovered a lump in her breast and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 2007.
“I wasn’t going to say anything about it and I wanted to forget about it, but someone encouraged me to say something,” Kotb told Bush Hager in 2024 when reflecting on her decision to go public with her diagnosis.
She had only recently joinedTodayas a co-anchor but in October 2007 she decided to share her story on air in an interview withAnn Curry.
02of 11Hoda or YodaHoda as Yoda on ‘Today’ in 2009.Janette Pellegrini/WireImageKotb always went all-out for her Halloween costumes, but her most noteworthy was in 2009, when she donned prosthetics and green make-up to channel the famousStar Warscharacter Yoda. Stepping out in the Jedi Master’s signature robe and pointy ears, she wielded a lightsaber as she walked around Rockefeller Plaza with herTodaycrew.
02of 11
Hoda or Yoda
Hoda as Yoda on ‘Today’ in 2009.Janette Pellegrini/WireImage
Janette Pellegrini/WireImage
Kotb always went all-out for her Halloween costumes, but her most noteworthy was in 2009, when she donned prosthetics and green make-up to channel the famousStar Warscharacter Yoda. Stepping out in the Jedi Master’s signature robe and pointy ears, she wielded a lightsaber as she walked around Rockefeller Plaza with herTodaycrew.
03of 11’I’m the Landing Strip’Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford in 2013.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via GettyDuring a 2013 episode of theTodayshow, Kotb and then-co-hostKathie Lee Giffordhad anNSFW conversationabout female grooming habits and what they say about a person. Gifford confessed she thought “it’s just wrong” for someone to have a “landing strip,” and she later asked Kotb, “Which one are you, missy?”“I’m the landing strip,” the broadcast journalist revealed to Gifford’s visible shock. Kotb attempted to segue into the next topic, but Gifford continued: “Boy, Hoda just told the whole world she has a landing strip. These things live on in infamy.”
03of 11
‘I’m the Landing Strip’
Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford in 2013.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty
During a 2013 episode of theTodayshow, Kotb and then-co-hostKathie Lee Giffordhad anNSFW conversationabout female grooming habits and what they say about a person. Gifford confessed she thought “it’s just wrong” for someone to have a “landing strip,” and she later asked Kotb, “Which one are you, missy?”
“I’m the landing strip,” the broadcast journalist revealed to Gifford’s visible shock. Kotb attempted to segue into the next topic, but Gifford continued: “Boy, Hoda just told the whole world she has a landing strip. These things live on in infamy.”
04of 11
iHoda’s Playlist
Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford in 2016.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty
05of 11Summer Oil-lympicsHoda Kotb and Pita Taufatofua.Joe Scarnici/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyWhile covering the2016 Summer Olympicsin Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kotb had a close-up moment with the Tongan team’s flagbearerPita Taufatofua, who went viral for walking the opening ceremony bare-chested and covered in coconut oil while wearing traditional Tongan attire.AsAl Rokerinterviewed the athlete, Kotb and Bush Hager applied coconut oil to a shirtless Taufatofua on-camera, which elicited laughs from onlookers.“There are children watching, so thank you, Pita,” Roker said, cutting the interview short. “Avert your eyes.”
05of 11
Summer Oil-lympics
Hoda Kotb and Pita Taufatofua.Joe Scarnici/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Joe Scarnici/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
While covering the2016 Summer Olympicsin Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kotb had a close-up moment with the Tongan team’s flagbearerPita Taufatofua, who went viral for walking the opening ceremony bare-chested and covered in coconut oil while wearing traditional Tongan attire.
AsAl Rokerinterviewed the athlete, Kotb and Bush Hager applied coconut oil to a shirtless Taufatofua on-camera, which elicited laughs from onlookers.
“There are children watching, so thank you, Pita,” Roker said, cutting the interview short. “Avert your eyes.”
06of 11
Three months later, shebrought her new daughterto theTodayshow studio on Mother’s Day weekend, enthusiastically expressing her joy over motherhood. Her co-hosts, Savannah Guthrie andCarson Daly, held and fawned over Haley during the visit.
07of 11
Lizzo’s Biggest Fan
“That 10-year-old girl left the plaza with a huge pep in her step. That day, Lizzo and Hoda were the Sheros!” Kitley says.
08of 11(Partial) Polar PlungeCo-host Jenna Bush Hager caught Kotb in the act as the two reviewed footage of the pair’s morning dive into cold water. Bush Hager looked appalled as she watched Kotb only dunk her head instead of fully submerging herself in the ocean.“I thought you said we were gonna dive together,” said a betrayed Bush Hager. “All you did was just put your head gently…”“Don’t say all I did,” Kotb replied. “I was all the way soaking wet. It just wasn’t as dramatic.”
08of 11
(Partial) Polar Plunge
Co-host Jenna Bush Hager caught Kotb in the act as the two reviewed footage of the pair’s morning dive into cold water. Bush Hager looked appalled as she watched Kotb only dunk her head instead of fully submerging herself in the ocean.
“I thought you said we were gonna dive together,” said a betrayed Bush Hager. “All you did was just put your head gently…”
“Don’t say all I did,” Kotb replied. “I was all the way soaking wet. It just wasn’t as dramatic.”
09of 11Hoda Officiates a WeddingHoda Kotb officiates a wedding in 2023.TODAYshow/TwitterKotb, an ordained minister, has officiated multiple weddings live on theTodayshow. In September 2023, shepresided over the weddingbetween Chicago natives Ben Herbert and Mindy Shore, who got engaged on the NBC morning show in February 2020.A visibly emotional Kotb gave a speech prior to the couple’s vows, detailing their full-circle love story. After Herbert and Shore exchanged vows, the anchor announced, “May you both always remember the way you feel in this moment, standing in front of your family and friends and these wonderful street [viewers] on theTodayshow plaza as I proudly pronounce you husband and wife.”The pairreturned to theTodayshowto surprise Kotb during her last week as host and present her with a parting gift of preserved flowers from their wedding day.
09of 11
Hoda Officiates a Wedding
Hoda Kotb officiates a wedding in 2023.TODAYshow/Twitter
TODAYshow/Twitter
Kotb, an ordained minister, has officiated multiple weddings live on theTodayshow. In September 2023, shepresided over the weddingbetween Chicago natives Ben Herbert and Mindy Shore, who got engaged on the NBC morning show in February 2020.
A visibly emotional Kotb gave a speech prior to the couple’s vows, detailing their full-circle love story. After Herbert and Shore exchanged vows, the anchor announced, “May you both always remember the way you feel in this moment, standing in front of your family and friends and these wonderful street [viewers] on theTodayshow plaza as I proudly pronounce you husband and wife.”
The pairreturned to theTodayshowto surprise Kotb during her last week as host and present her with a parting gift of preserved flowers from their wedding day.
10of 11
A Gift from the Bush Family
“I know how much your girls mean to you,” Bush Hager said during the emotional moment. “I had my dad, who has started painting, paint your favorite photo of you holding your girls.”
11of 11
Hoda Signs Off
“I read your cards. I got your bracelets. I got the scarves you crocheted. I read the texts. I got everything,” Kotb told the audience. “So I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming out, for being here and for everything you did.”
Speaking to PEOPLEat the Rockefeller Center Plaza following her last morning withToday, Kotb says, “I don’t know how to describe it, but I feel like all of my dreams came to bear on this day. I’m looking around at my kids, my family, everybody who came out here this morning. I love you guys.”
source: people.com
