Hoda Kotb’s Shocking Exit: 5 Things We Know About Her New Life After Leaving The Today Show

The news of Hoda Kotb leaving the *Today* show has been confirmed, but the details of her departure—and her subsequent, massive career pivot—are still a major topic of discussion in late 2025. After an emotional on-air announcement in September 2024, the beloved anchor officially stepped away from the main anchor desk on Friday, January 10, 2025, closing a remarkable 26-year chapter with NBC News. The curiosity surrounding her exit was immense, but the truth is less about a dramatic exit and more about a deliberate choice to embrace a new, deeply personal "begin again" era, which has already led to a major new venture this year. This article, updated on December 18, 2025, dives into the confirmed timeline of Hoda’s exit, the personal reasons behind her choice, the new face who took her place, and the exciting new projects that have defined her life since leaving morning television. The reality of her post-*Today* career is far more fascinating than any rumor.

Hoda Kotb: A Biographical Timeline of the Broadcast Icon

Hoda Kotb is an American broadcast journalist, television personality, author, and philanthropist, renowned for her infectious optimism and deeply personal interviews. Her career spans decades, culminating in one of the most visible roles in morning television.

• Full Name: Hoda Kotb
• Date of Birth: August 9, 1964
• Place of Birth: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
• Education: Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism)
• Early Career: Started in 1986 as a news assistant for CBS News. Worked at local news stations in places like Greenville, Mississippi; Peoria, Illinois; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
• NBC News Career Start: Joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent for *Dateline NBC*.
• *Today* Show Debut: Began co-hosting the fourth hour of the *Today* show, *Today with Hoda & Jenna* (originally with Kathie Lee Gifford), in 2007.
• Main Co-Anchor Role: Named co-anchor of the main 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of *Today* in 2018, replacing Matt Lauer, alongside Savannah Guthrie.
• Departure Announcement: September 2024.
• Final Day on Main Show: January 10, 2025.
• Children: Two adopted daughters, Haley Joy Kotb and Hope Catherine Kotb.
• Notable Achievements: Multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and numerous New York Times best-selling books.

The Real Reason Hoda Kotb Left the Anchor Desk in 2025

The question of "Why is Hoda leaving today?" was one of the biggest stories in morning television in late 2024, but the answer was deeply personal and rooted in a desire for a life shift. Hoda’s decision to step down as the main co-anchor of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours of the *Today* show was not due to a scandal or network dispute, but a conscious choice to prioritize her family and personal well-being.

The announcement in September 2024 came as a shock to fans and colleagues, but Hoda explained that she had reached an inflection point in her life. She described it as realizing "it was time for a new chapter" and a "begin again" era, a theme that has since become central to her post-TV career.

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Crucially, her decision was heavily influenced by her role as a mother to her two young daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. Hoda has been candid in the past about the challenges, including her daughter Hope's health battle, which reportedly solidified her desire to step back from the rigorous, early-morning schedule of the main *Today* broadcast. This desire to embrace a "wellness journey" and focus on the present moment was the driving force behind her final day on January 10, 2025, after 17 years on the show.

Who Replaced Hoda and What is Her New Career in Late 2025?

The transition following Hoda Kotb's departure was swift and involved a familiar face, ensuring continuity for the millions of viewers who rely on the program for their daily news. The network officially named Craig Melvin as Hoda's successor.

Melvin, a veteran NBC host and news anchor who had been a staple on *Today's 3rd Hour* since 2018, took over the co-anchor duties for the main 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. broadcast alongside Savannah Guthrie. This move solidified the new anchor lineup, maintaining the show's core dynamic while ushering in a fresh era of morning television.

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Hoda's Post-Today Ventures: A Focus on Joy and Wellness

Contrary to speculation that she might retire completely, Hoda has been busier than ever in 2025, transitioning her public persona from a news anchor to a full-time author, motivational speaker, and wellness advocate. Her new career is built around the themes of positivity and life change:

• Bestselling Author: Her most significant post-show venture is the release of her new book, *Jump and Find Joy*, which hit bookshelves on September 23, 2025. The book, which is a New York Times bestseller, is a personal guide to dealing with change and embracing a new chapter, directly reflecting her own life pivot.
• Speaking Engagements: Hoda has embraced a new role on the speaking circuit, discussing her "begin again" era and career change at major events like the Forbes Power Women's Summit 2025 in New York.
• "Joy 101" Initiative: She has also launched a new venture focused on wellness and finding joy, which she has referred to as "Joy 101". This initiative encompasses her public appearances and motivational content.
• Continued Emmy Recognition: Even after her departure from the main show, her work continued to receive high praise. In a testament to her enduring impact on morning television, she received a 2025 Daytime Emmy Award nomination alongside Jenna Bush Hager, her co-host on the fourth hour of *Today*.

Hoda Kotb's choice to step away from the daily grind of the *Today* show, where she spent 26 years at NBC News, was a high-profile risk, but one that has clearly paid off with a successful new career focused on inspiring others. The former anchor desk is now a memory, replaced by a new chapter that emphasizes her role as an author and advocate for intentional living.

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