Friday is Hoda Kotb’s last day as co-anchor of NBC’s Today, the long-running morning show where she has been part of the team since 2007. She started as co-host of the program’s final hour, teaming up with Kathie Lee Gifford beginning in 2008, and a decade later, she was named co-anchor of the morning news program along with Savannah Guthrie. Kotb announced her departure last year, and this week, fans have shown up outside the Today studios with signs saying how much they love and will miss her. Kotb has continued to host the third hour of Today with Jenna Bush Hager. She leaves a legacy that’s a mix of hard and soft news, from smart interviews to funny moments with her co-hosts.
Why Is Hoda Kotb Leaving The Today Show?
Kotb, a single mother, is leaving her post to spend more time with her two daughters, whom she adopted with her former fiancé. The Today schedule is notoriously demanding, with anchors having to go to the studio in the wee hours of the morning.
Who Is Replacing Hoda Kotb On Today?
NBC has not yet named a replacement for Kotb. The network is allowing a cushion between her departure and the naming of a new host. In the meantime, NBC will rely on a rotating cast of celebrity guests, including Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer, to take her place with Bush Hager. Craig Melvin will fill in as Today co-anchor.
Top 7 Hoda Kotb Moments On Today
Here are seven of the most memorable moments from Kotb’s tenure on Today.
1. Polar Bear Plunge
In 2022, Kotb and Bush Hager took an on-camera polar plunge when they ran into freezing water in January. Watching the footage of the moment together on the air, Bush Hager was shocked to see that her co-host didn’t dive under the water as they had agreed. Instead, Kotb merely dunked her head. The women dissolve in hysterics watching themselves on film.
2. “Pink Power” Interviews
Kotb has had many signature features on Today, and one was her “Pink Power” interviews to raise awareness of breast cancer and the fight for a cure; Kotb herself is a survivor. This week, Today brought back the family of Erin Ludwig, who passed away from the disease, whom Kotb interviewed shortly after Ludwig’s death. Her daughters brought the teddy bears Kotb had gifted them.
3. Viola Davis Interview
Kotb has said that interviewing Viola Davis was the most nervous she has been because she holds the actress in such high regard. The EGOT winner joined Davis and Bush Hager for a segment in 2022.
4. Wine Spilling On Kotb
Saturday Night Live spoofed Kotb and Gifford as wine swillers, and an incident in 2012 reminds everyone why. The cameras came back to the duo, who revealed Kotb’s glass had shattered during the commercial break, and she was covered in wine. Gifford joked she was “mostly sorry you spilled the wine.”
5. Guthrie And Kotb’s First Episode
Guthrie and Kotb had such immediate natural chemistry, it’s easy to forget the pairing wasn’t exactly by choice—Kotb stepped in after longtime co-anchor Matt Lauer left in a sexual harassment scandal. Their first official episode began sweetly when Guthrie called Kotb a sister, partner and friend, a contrast to the turmoil Lauer caused.
6. Announcing Kotb’s First Daughter
In February 2017, Kotb called into Today to announce that she had adopted her first daughter. The longtime journalist came to motherhood late in life (she is now 60) and has opened up about how her daughters changed her life. There weren’t many dry eyes at 30 Rock that day.
7. Drew Brees Donation Announcement
Kotb became choked up on the air during a 2020 episode in which she announced former New Orleans Saints quarterback Brees had made a $5 million donation to the fight against COVID in Louisiana. Kotb worked in New Orleans early in her career, and Guthrie had to read the tease for the next segment while her co-anchor recovered her composure.