Hoda Kotb, a staple of NBC’s TODAY Show, is venturing into uncharted territory after announcing her surprising exit last month. Speaking on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the seasoned co-anchor, 60, revealed the mix of fear and excitement she’s experiencing as she steps away after nearly three decades at the network.
“Yeah, it’s scary. It’s terrifying. It’s all of those things, but it’s also exactly right,” Kotb confessed on-air, adding that she’s ready to embrace a new chapter. Reflecting on her 26-year journey with TODAY, she described her departure as bittersweet. “When you love something, it’s hard to say goodbye because it doesn’t make sense,” she shared. However, Kotb revealed that something “clicked” as she reached her peak, prompting her to consider new adventures rather than trying to replicate past glories.
The Emmy-winning host hinted at plans for a future focused on wellness, noting she wants to inspire fans on a path of personal growth. “I want to work in that space,” she teased, hinting at her desire to “start things” and inviting her followers to join her in “getting better” together. For Kotb, this next phase feels akin to being “re-potted”—a metaphor she used to describe a plant being uprooted, its roots left exposed as it finds new soil to grow.
Reflecting on her milestone birthday, Kotb said turning 60 sparked profound questions. “I started thinking about that decade. Like, ‘What does that decade mean? What’s it going to have for me?’” she revealed. She wants to fall in love with this new stage of life, embracing it as a journey with limitless potential.
In a heartfelt farewell letter to her TODAY colleagues, Kotb expressed her deep gratitude. “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.”
Kotb’s departure marks the end of an era for TODAY, and fans can’t wait to see how she reinvents herself in this new chapter. Will her leap into wellness prove just as transformative as her career on screen? Only time will tell.
