The Real Reasons Hoda Kotb Left The Today Show: Five Shocking Factors Behind Her 2025 Exit

The news of Hoda Kotb’s departure from The Today Show sent shockwaves through the morning television world. After a remarkable 26-year tenure at NBC and 17 years gracing the screens of the *Today* franchise, the beloved co-anchor announced in September 2024 that she would be stepping away. Her final broadcast was officially set for early 2025, marking the end of an iconic era for the network and her co-hosts, Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager.

The sudden announcement, coming just after her 60th birthday, immediately fueled intense speculation among fans and industry insiders. While Hoda offered a deeply personal and emotional explanation, reports have surfaced suggesting a more complex, behind-the-scenes negotiation played a critical role in her decision. We break down the five most compelling factors that led to her emotional exit from the show on January 10, 2025.

Hoda Kotb: A Complete Career and Personal Profile

Hoda Kotb is an American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author, best known for her long career at NBC News and her role as a co-anchor on the *Today* show.

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• Full Name: Hoda Kotb
• Date of Birth: August 9, 1964
• Place of Birth: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
• Heritage: Egyptian-American; her parents are originally from Egypt.
• Education: Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism)
• Early Career: Worked at local news stations in Mississippi, Illinois, Florida, and Louisiana.
• NBC News Start: Joined NBC News as a correspondent for *Dateline NBC* in 1998.
• *Today* Show Debut: Became co-host of the fourth hour (*Today with Hoda and Jenna*, formerly with Kathie Lee Gifford) in 2008.
• Main Co-Anchor Role: Promoted to main co-anchor of the first two hours of *Today* in 2018, replacing Matt Lauer.
• Children: Two adopted daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.
• Departure Announcement: September 2024.
• Official Exit Date: January 10, 2025.

The Five Core Reasons Behind Hoda’s Emotional Departure

The reasons for Hoda Kotb's departure are a blend of deeply personal milestones and high-stakes professional negotiations. While her public statement focused on family and a new chapter, internal reports suggest financial pressures played a significant, if unstated, role.

1. The "Turning the Page at 60" Personal Milestone

The most prominent reason Hoda cited was a desire to shift her focus after reaching a major personal milestone: her 60th birthday. She shared that the landmark birthday prompted a profound reflection on her life and career.

In her emotional on-air announcement, Hoda explained, "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new." This sentiment resonated with many viewers, symbolizing a moment of re-evaluation after decades of early-morning alarms and rigorous professional demands. The decision was framed as a conscious choice to prioritize personal fulfillment over the relentless pace of live morning television.

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2. Prioritizing Her Daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine

A driving force behind Hoda's decision was her deep commitment to her two young daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. The demanding schedule of a main morning show anchor—which requires waking up well before dawn—is notoriously disruptive to family life.

Hoda was clear that she wanted more uninterrupted time to be present with her children. "I will miss you all," she said to her colleagues and viewers, but added that she was leaving to spend more time focusing on herself and her family. This desire for a better work-life balance is a common theme for high-profile figures stepping away from 24/7 news cycles.

3. Rumors of a Proposed $20 Million Salary Cut

Perhaps the most controversial and least-publicized factor was the financial aspect. A report from Puck News suggested that the decision to exit was accelerated by a proposal from NBC to significantly cut her salary.

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Hoda Kotb was reportedly earning a substantial salary, rumored to be in the $20 million range. The suggestion of a pay cut, especially given her status as one of morning TV’s most popular and bankable stars, may have served as the final professional push she needed to walk away and seek new opportunities. This factor highlights the high-stakes financial world of network news, where even beloved anchors face contract pressures.

The Aftermath: Replacements, Future Projects, and New Beginnings

Hoda’s departure in January 2025 created a massive void in the *Today* show lineup, requiring NBC to make significant changes to both the main show and the popular fourth hour, *Today with Hoda and Jenna*.

4. The New Faces of the Today Show

NBC moved quickly to fill the massive shoes Hoda left behind. The network's solution involved a shuffle of familiar faces, demonstrating their commitment to internal talent.

• Main Co-Anchor Replacement: Craig Melvin, a veteran NBC News anchor and host of the third hour of *Today*, was officially named as Hoda’s successor on the main show.
• *Today with Hoda and Jenna* Replacement: The biggest change came to the 10 a.m. slot. After a period of rotating guest co-hosts, Sheinelle Jones was announced as the permanent co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager. This change was slated to take effect on January 12, 2026, creating a new dynamic for the popular morning segment.

The transition was reportedly a surprise to many within the network, underscoring the sudden nature of Hoda’s decision. The emotional on-air goodbye with co-hosts like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager confirmed the deep bonds she had forged over nearly two decades.

5. Hoda’s Future: NBC Projects and Rumors of a CBS Move

Despite leaving her daily anchor role, Hoda Kotb is not fully retiring from television. She is expected to remain with NBC to work on other projects, which could include documentary work, special reports, and her continued advocacy for adoption and breast cancer awareness.

However, the industry is already buzzing with speculation about her next major move. Sources claim that CBS executives are actively exploring the possibility of bringing Hoda over to their network, potentially to replace a huge daytime star whose contract is nearing its 2026 expiration. This suggests that Hoda’s time on morning television may not be over, but simply entering a new, more flexible chapter. The possibility of a major network switch keeps the door open for her to return to a high-profile, perhaps less demanding, role in the near future.

Hoda Kotb’s departure from *The Today Show* is more than just a personnel change; it is a significant moment in broadcast history. It highlights the difficult balance between a demanding career and a rich personal life, especially for a woman who achieved motherhood later in life. Whether driven by a desire for more family time, a reflection on her 60th birthday, or a disagreement over her contract, Hoda’s choice to "turn the page" ensures that her legacy at NBC remains powerful while opening up exciting new possibilities for her future endeavors.