Hoda Kotb collapsed in tears while filming the final episode of the “Al-Youm” program on Friday.
“Can I just say thank you? I couldn't express it, because I'm a mess most of the time, but I just want to say thank you,” she said through tears.
Kotb, 60, ended her 26-year career at NBC News with the action-packed song “Huda-Bringing,” which included an emotional video with interviews with her fellow co-stars, a personalized gift from Jamie Lee Curtis, and a video message from her friend of all time. long time. Role model Oprah Winfrey, a surprise visit from Simone Biles and more.
The longtime anchor has shared a slew of emotional moments with fellow anchors Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker and Craig Melvin since announcing in September 2024 that she would be leaving the “Today” and “Today with Hoda & Jenna” shows. “
“I decided it was the right time for me to move on. With all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world,” she said with tears in her eyes at the time.
Later that day, Kotb again parted ways with Bush Hager, her 4th hour co-host, when she discussed how “difficult” it was to leave “something so amazing like this.”
“It weighed on me a lot. I went back and forth, and back and forth, and then I said to myself, 'You know, I think in this decade I think I'm going to have to start making my own choices,'” Kotb explained.
Bush Hager, 43, admitted that she initially struggled with Kotb's decision, even calling her father, former President George Bush, in tears over the news.
“At first, he thought something really terrible [happened]“It was like I lost a loved one, because of how emotional I was,” Bush Hager recalled in September. And then he said, “Oh, she's leaving, because it's time, and she'll be fine.” It's your turn. decent.'”
Since then, Bush Hager and Kotb have cried over their relationship dozens of times over the past few months.
The former First Daughter will continue to host the fourth hour with several guests — including Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer — on “Jenna and Friends” until she feels comfortable choosing a permanent replacement for the mogul.
Meanwhile, Melvin, the current “Today” show anchor and 3 o'clock co-host, will replace Kotb in the morning news segment beginning Monday.
Despite leaving her NBC gig, Kotb made it clear that she will remain in the “Today” family and will appear from time to time.
Kotb also revealed that she will be venturing into the wellness space. She said she will launch a new company that hosts spas and a wellness app in the spring.
“I want to be in this business. I want to start things. I have things seeping in… but I want you guys to come along for the ride because we're all getting better! Why not?” She said during an episode of the “Today” show in October.
Kotb also expressed her eagerness to have a less demanding schedule so she could enjoy her time in the suburbs with her two adopted daughters: Haley Joy and Hope Katherine.
“I was thinking they deserved a bigger piece of my time pie,” she said during her emotional exit announcement in September.
The “Hope Is a Rainbow” author began her radio career in 1986 when she worked at a local CBS affiliate in Greenville, Miss., after graduating from Virginia Tech.
Kotb went to work at an ABC affiliate in Moline, Illinois, for a year and then at a CBS affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida, for two years before becoming a local favorite at the CBS affiliate in New Orleans from 1992 to 1998.
Kotb joined the NBC team in 1998 when she scored a gig on “Dateline NBC” and worked there for 10 years before moving to “Today with Kathie Lee.” [Gifford] Hoda” in 2008.
Kotb eventually landed the co-anchor role on the “Today” show alongside Guthrie in 2017 after Matt Lauer was terminated for “inappropriate sexual conduct.”
