Hoda Kotb to leave NBC's Today Show at the end of 2024

Hoda Kotb plans to host NBC’s Today show.

The NBC anchor announced the news on air Thursday morning, adding that she will remain co-anchor of the show until early 2025 before taking on a new role at NBC News.

“I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about this decade, what does this decade mean? What does it hold? What is it going to hold for me? And I realized that at 60, it was time for me to turn a new leaf and try something new,” Kotb said, flanked by her Today show colleagues on the couch of Studio 1A.

“I had my children late in life and thought they deserved a bigger piece of my time pie,” she added. “I feel like we only have a limited amount of time.”

“We love you so much, and when you look – when you see those tears – they are love, because you are so loved. And honestly, I don't think any of us can imagine this, we don't want to imagine this place without you,” Kotb's co-host Savannah Guthrie said after the news broke. “I just want to say I'm so proud of my friend. You have courage, for someone to leave at the peak of their career, leave something wonderful that you love, where it's easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and safe… You have so much courage. You inspire me.”

Kotb was co-host of the NBC show Today alongside Guthrie and has been a correspondent and anchor at NBC News for 26 years. She started the Today fourth hour of the show, hosted alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager.

“26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Date lineseven at seven, sixteen at ten. I picture your faces and your families and all the ways you have lifted me up and inspired me. That is my heart singing,” Kotb wrote in a memo to Today Employees. “Many of my professional relationships have become my most treasured friendships. Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my constant companion. Al: my oldest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will be with each and every one of you at Today desperate.”

While details of her new role at NBC were not announced Thursday, she is expected to contribute to the show in some capacity after leaving co-host.