Hoda Kotb Steps Down from Today Show After 17 Years to Focus on Her Children: ‘Right Decision but Painful’

Hoda Kotb Steps Down from Today Show After 17 Years to Focus on Her Children: ‘Right Decision but Painful’

Hoda Kotb has made a heart-wrenching decision to step away from her anchoring duties on the *Today* show after 17 years, in order to dedicate more time to her daughters, Haley and Hope.

In a heartfelt letter addressed to the NBC morning show team, Kotb shared her emotions on Thursday, Sept. 26. "As I write this, my heart is all over the map," she expressed. "I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you, and it’s time for me to leave the show."

Kotb, now in her 60s, explained her decision further, emphasizing the importance of her family at this stage of her life. "My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited."

Though Kotb is stepping down from her anchoring role, she will not completely vanish from NBC. She will remain with the network in some capacity even after the new year, saying, “Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart." Kotb assured her colleagues and fans that she’s not saying goodbye entirely: "I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine."

As the co-anchor of NBC News' *Today* alongside Savannah Guthrie, Kotb made history as part of the first-ever all-female co-hosting duo on the popular morning show. Additionally, she co-hosts the fourth hour of *Today* with Jenna Bush Hager. Over the years, she has become a household name and a beloved presence for millions of viewers.

Kotb first became a part of *Today* in 2007, as the host of the fourth hour of the show. She was initially joined by Kathie Lee Gifford in 2008, forming a dynamic duo that fans loved. When Gifford left in 2019, Hager stepped in as Kotb’s new co-host. In 2018, Kotb was named co-anchor of *Today* following the departure of Matt Lauer amidst sexual misconduct allegations.

Beyond her impressive career, Kotb has also been open about her personal journey to motherhood. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007, which left her unable to conceive, Kotb turned to adoption. In 2017, she adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy. In 2019, she welcomed a second daughter, Hope Catherine, into her life through adoption. Kotb co-parents the girls with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman.

In a recent move, Kotb and her daughters relocated from bustling Manhattan to a house in the suburbs. This move allowed her daughters to have more space to grow and play. "They’re so excited to have their own space," Kotb shared during an interview with *Today*. "They’re excited about a reading chair, they’re excited about having a beanbag chair, and their bed — that kind of stuff."

The transition, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Kotb admitted that adjusting to a new home and a new community was no easy task. "It’s all new — new kids, new school, new things, new everything," she explained. But despite the changes, her focus was on creating a warm, welcoming environment for her daughters. "All I could think of was I want my house for the kids to feel warm and cozy and a place where they want to hang. And that’s it."

Kotb envisions a simple, fulfilling life for her daughters in their new home. "I want my kids to feel grass on their feet, and play in the yard, and ride bikes down the street, and run up and down the stairs," she told *PEOPLE* in an interview. "I just see that life for them in this perfect house in this beautiful little town where I know they'll be able to blossom into beautiful, independent, strong women."

Her decision to leave *Today* also comes in the wake of health concerns for her youngest daughter, Hope. Earlier this year, in February 2023, Kotb took a two-week absence from the show when Hope experienced a medical crisis that landed her in the ICU for several days. “We had a scary stretch,” Kotb told *PEOPLE* in March. "Any parent who’s been through a scary thing with their child understands. It’s like you just can’t believe that your child’s sick. You can’t believe that there’s nothing you can do."

While Kotb has chosen not to disclose Hope’s specific medical diagnosis, she shared that the family has been on a journey of managing her health. “Things have stabilized,” Kotb revealed, and they have hired additional help to balance the demands of Hope’s medical needs with Kotb’s intense work schedule. Kotb's priority remains to provide her children with a normal, loving environment, explaining that she doesn't want Hope to be labeled differently because of her condition.

As Kotb embarks on this next chapter of her life, her presence will surely be missed by viewers. However, her decision is a testament to her devotion as a mother and her desire to be fully present for her family while continuing her work with NBC in a new way.