Hoda Kotb, a beloved personality on the Today show, announced on Thursday that she will be departing from the morning programme after 26 years with NBC.
After recently turning 60, Kotb tearfully revealed live on-air that she will be leaving Today in the New Year.
According to a source, Kotb made the decision to leave after moving to the suburbs with her two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 4.
The insider shared, “It’s heartbreaking for everyone, but Hoda wants to be able to walk her kids to school.”
Despite her departure, producers are hopeful that Kotb will continue to be involved with the show in some capacity, such as returning for special interviews or continuing with her Today-adjacent podcast.
The source added, “We have time to work it out.”
Kotb spent the summer in Paris for the Olympics with co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin, and was celebrated with a large birthday concert upon her return to NYC.
She has expressed her desire to spend more time with her children, especially after her youngest was hospitalised for an unknown condition that they are still managing daily, as she recently shared with Page Six.
Kotb officially became co-host alongside Guthrie in 2017 following Matt Lauer’s departure due to alleged sexual offences.
