On January 10, 2025, Hoda Kotb was sobbing her socks off after an emotional tribute on her last day ever at the Today Show after 17 years.

Today Show anchors presented Hoda with a surprise video montage of her best moments, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Through tears, the former co-anchor said: “That was not fair.”

She went on to explain that she hasn’t been able to talk about her emotional exit from the show.

Hoda confessed: “I’ve not been able to articulate because I’m a mess most of the time.”

She thanked Al Roker for being her “first friend here”.

Savannah Guthrie also joined in the tear-fest as Hoda told her co-anchor: “You’re my person.”

Savannah and Hoda became the first all-female duo to host the show in 2018 after the latter’s interim placement was made permanent.

Why is Hoda Kotb leaving the Today Show?

Hoda has opened up about the reasons behind her decision.

She released an announcement explaining: “So I was doing the math, and I realized I have spent 26 years at NBC.. 16 years on the ten and seven years with you.

“And I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old, because I started thinking about that decade, what does that decade mean?”

She continued: “And I realize it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new.

“And I think I realized that this was so crazy but – remember our 60th birthday we had outside?

“I can remember standing outside looking at this beautiful bunch of people with all these gorgeous signs and I thought, this is what the top of the wave feels like for me.”

Hoda added: “I thought, it can’t get better. And I decided that this is the right time for me to move on.

“And then I thought, obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pot that I have.”

What’s next for Hoda Kotb?

Hoda is already making plans for her next career move — she revealed she’ll be focusing on wellness on the Kelly Clarkson Show.

She said: “So I kind of got hooked in the wellness space, like a couple years ago.

“I started doing stuff that I thought seemed woo-woo and weird, and then all of a sudden, as I was doing it, I was like, ‘wait, I feel calmer, I feel better’. Woo-woo makes you feel good!”

She also noted the adoption of her children, saying that they “deserve a bigger piece of my time pie”.

Hoda wrote a letter to staff in September 2024 sharing her decision to leave.

After her on-air announcement, Hoda’s co-anchor Savannah said: “We love you so much.”

“When you look around and see these tears, they’re love.

“You are so loved. I don’t think any of us can imagine this place without you.

“So it’s complicated because we love you so much and don’t want you to ever go. I am so proud of my friend. You have guts.

“For someone to leave at the top of their game, to leave something that’s wonderful, that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and say, but I dream even bigger for myself.”