‘Ungrateful’ Hoda Kotb leaves co-workers ‘heartbroken’ after argument with HR over her quitting

Ungrateful”? Not Quite: The Heartbreaking Goodbye of Hoda Kotb

When Hoda Kotb announced her departure from NBC’s Today show, after nearly three decades with the network, homes across America grew silent—as if a beloved friend had moved away. The soft-spoken but compelling anchor’s decision on January 10, 2025 to step down triggered a wave of emotion, love, and more than a tinge of heartbreak—not from bitterness, but from deep, genuine sorrow. It was a moment of transformation, both personal and cultural, all unfolding under the subtle glow of early-morning lights.

A Career Forged in Warmth and Authenticity

Kotb’s journey with NBC began in 1998, with her work on Dateline, but it was the Today show that cemented her place in American households. She joined the fourth hour in 2007, initially alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and later—most memorably—with Jenna Bush Hager. Those years were foundational, full of candid chats, laughter, and poignant moments. By 2018, after Matt Lauer’s departure, Kotb ascended to co-anchor the main morning program alongside Savannah Guthrie—the first all-female lead duo in the show’s 73-year legacy .

Kotb’s appeal stemmed from her sincerity. Viewers responded to her openness—whether sharing her personal health journey (she survived breast cancer and embraced adoption after years of longing for children), or being candid about her family life, from the chaos of raising two young daughters to caring for her mother . Over time, she became not just a name on screen, but a voice people trusted and loved.

The Announcement: A Tear-Filled Turning Point

On September 26, 2024, Kotb surprised staff with a heartfelt letter: “My heart is all over the map… I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one” . That morning on-air, surrounded by Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Sheinelle Jones, the atmosphere was electric—like something sacred was unfolding.

Savannah Guthrie said, through tears: “Honestly, I don’t think any of us can imagine… this place without you” . Jenna shared sweet memories of her late father, former President George W. Bush, counseling her to step into the spotlight: “Hoda’s the star… you’re gonna be okay with that, right?” . The studio responded with a spontaneous standing ovation.

Kotb, who turned 60 that summer, described celebrating that birthday on the Rockefeller Plaza, looking into a sea of smiling friends and fans, and realizing, “This is what the top of the wave feels like” . With that, she felt anchored in gratitude and emboldened to begin a new chapter.

Why Leave at the Peak?

Leaving a dream job is rarely easy—especially when it’s as high-profile and emotionally fulfilling as Today. But behind Kotb’s exit were profound personal reasons:

Family Comes First
Kotb is the mother of two adopted daughters, Haley (8) and Hope (6). In Feb. 2023, Hope endured a serious medical crisis and was later diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes . The diagnosis meant increased demands on Kotb’s time and attention—and being an early-morning TV anchor made managing that especially difficult.

Seeking a Balanced Life
Kotb’s suburban move offered her and her daughters a yard, a beanbag reading nook, and the simple joys of grass beneath their feet . But her relentless schedule—early wakeups, unpredictable travel—ran parallel to the demands of being a single mom caring for a medically vulnerable child. As she noted, “They deserve a bigger piece of my time pie”.

The Courage to Change at 60
Turning 60 marked a crossroads. Kotb described it as the emotional “mountaintop” of her career, a moment when she felt ready to redefine what comes next . Her words reflected a personal renaissance: “I like adventure, I like new beginnings. I’m a sunrise person, not a sunset person” .

The Farewell: A Portrait of Love and Loss

On her final day, January 10, 2025, Today delivered a moving tribute to Kotb. There were tearful retrospectives, surprise appearances (even Kermit the Frog), and Kotb’s own daughters by her side . She said: “I have not been able to articulate it because I’m a mess most of the time.” The studio and the crowd outside sent her off with genuine affection .

CNN noted she called special attention to key relationships: Guthrie as “my person,” Roker as “my first friend,” and Melvin as the show’s “secret sauce.” She uttered the words many thought she would: “Can I just say thank you?” .

What’s Next?

Kotb’s decision wasn’t a farewell—it was a pivot. She pledged to remain with NBC in a new capacity and hinted at exploring wellness-focused projects, with potential roles like her planned appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show . For now, her focus is her girls, her mother, and maybe a calmer morning routine.

Cultural Impact: Redefining Success

Kotb’s exit rippled beyond studios. It sparked conversations about:

Work-life balance, especially for women in high-demand careers and parenting roles.

Career transitions at midlife, challenging assumptions that success must culminate in a retirement slide—it can instead be a springboard.

Representation in broadcast news: her tenure with Guthrie represented milestone progress for women in media.

Her choice felt revolutionary: leave while still at the top, by choice, and not by force.

Final Reflections

Hoda Kotb’s story reminds us that even in high visibility, professional success doesn’t always align with personal fulfillment. She taught millions with her reflections—on stage, on-air, and even in vulnerability. There was no scandal, no drama—just heart. And through tears, gratitude, and joy, she showed us that redefining what success means—especially at sixty—can be an act of radical courage.

In a landscape where today’s news is tomorrow’s clickbait, Kotb’s farewell was refreshingly human: a careful balancing act between ambition and love, dreams and home. In choosing presence over platform, she offered a new kind of headline: life well-lived, on her own terms.

In the end, Hoda Kotb wasn’t ungrateful—she was true to herself. Her departure left Today without its radiant centerpiece, but it left us with something deeper: permission to step off the wheel, before the wheel spins us away. And that, perhaps, is the most powerful story of all