Hoda Kotb on the moment she decided to leave NBC’s Today show: ‘I knew in my heart – this is it…’

In the fast-paced world of morning television, Hoda Kotb has been a familiar, reassuring presence for nearly three decades. From her early days reporting for Dateline NBC to becoming the co-anchor of Today and finally co-hosting “Hoda & Jenna,” Kotb has endeared herself to millions with her warmth, empathy, and genuine connection with viewers. Yet when she turned 60 and gazed out across the plaza filled with well-wishers during her birthday celebration, something deep inside her shifted. It was in that moment—among the sea of caring fans—a profound realization: she had reached the summit of what she loved, and the time had come for a bold leap into the next chapter of her life. “I knew in my heart—this is it,” she later shared in tears of both joy and resolve.

Kotb’s announcement in September 2024 took many by surprise. Having spent 26 years with NBC, including 17 years on Today, she had become a fixture of morning news and culture. But rather than simply fading into the background, she chose to step away at the height of her influence. In her own words, the 60th birthday celebration felt like the “top of the wave”—a rare peak that left her knowing it couldn’t get better than this. She realized she had reached that moment—and that the rest of her path lay beyond the familiar comfort of her morning desk.

This realization carried weight not just professionally, but personally. Kotb and her former fiancé, Joel Schiffman, adopted daughters Haley Joy (in 2017) and Hope Catherine (in 2019). For Kotb, becoming a mother later in life reshaped her priorities. As she reflected, her daughters “deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.” Balancing a rigorous early-morning schedule—waking up at 3:15 a.m.—with being present at home had become increasingly unsustainable. She recognized that excellence at work often requires concessions at home, and that if she wanted to be a truly engaged mom, something had to change.

Her youngest daughter, Hope, faced her own challenges—namely, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at age six. Caring for Hope meant around-the-clock attention, from daily insulin shots to nighttime monitoring. Though Hope is stable and thriving, managing her condition is a significant commitment. Kotb realized that being fully available to her daughters was no longer negotiable. Awake nights, breakfast-table check-ins, afternoon school pickups—these moments, small though they might seem, became the currency of her new life chapter.

In the weeks following her announcement, Kotb stayed on Today through early 2025, culminating in an emotional final broadcast on January 10. With tears in her eyes, surrounded by colleagues and her daughters—who had been serenaded live on set—she bid farewell to a role she loved yet knew it was time to leave. Her co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin joined in the tearful send‑off, expressing love, admiration, and pride for their friend and partner on-screen. It was the kind of authentic, heartfelt moment that had become the hallmark of Kotb’s presence on television.

And while her departure marked the end of an era, it was far from retirement. Kotb has embraced a new passion: wellness. For years she had explored breathwork, mindfulness, and moments of inner stillness—a path encouraged by fellow hosts like Jenna Bush Hager and Maria Shriver. What began as personal exploration has transformed into a vision for a wider purpose. She envisions a wellness app, retreats, a podcast, and more—her aim is to make mindfulness accessible for busy people. After all, the healthiest, most present version of herself has proven to be the best mom, partner, and professional she can be.

In her own words, Kotb wants to empower others to “repot” themselves when needed—pulling oneself up by the roots, navigating the uncertainty of change, and landing again in fertile new ground. She has already tested the waters with wellness retreats and is developing an app to bring these tools to a broader audience. As she plans for the next quarter-century of her life, wellness isn’t a fad—it’s a mission. Rooted in the clarity and energy she’s discovered, it’s also an invitation for others to find peace and presence within their own busy lives.

Kotb hasn’t entirely stepped away from NBC. She will continue to make occasional appearances on Today and has signed on as a special correspondent for upcoming Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Today with Jenna & Friends—formerly “Hoda & Jenna”—has launched with guest co-hosts rotating in while host Jenna Bush Hager searches for a permanent partner. Today‘s earlier morning hours welcomed Craig Melvin as Kotb’s successor, while the fourth hour embarks on its next chapter. It’s a transition that speaks to Kotb’s legacy: a blend of professionalism, compassion, and the joy of shared experience.

Through it all, Kotb’s guiding compass has consistently been love—love for her audience, love for her craft, and above all, love for her family. Her beautiful decision to walk away when she still felt fully alive and passionate is testament to her courage. It’s a reminder that knowing when to stay and when to step away—the heartbeat of intuition—is just as important as ambition.

Even as she embarks on this wellness journey, Kotb remains rooted in gratitude. Her departure was not a retreat but a pivot—a way to live intentionally, paternal in spirit, generous in perspective, and rich in evolving purpose. The public will likely hear more from her in new formats: an app pinging mindfulness nudges, a podcast brimming with guidance, a wellness retreat nestled far from bright studio lights

At 60, Hoda Kotb stands among the few who’ve reached the summit of their chosen mountain—and know when it’s time to climb a new one. “I knew in my heart—this is it” wasn’t a farewell; it was a declaration. The summit was just the view—and now, the rest of the range lies ahead, wild and waiting.