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The Real Reason Hoda Kotb Is Leaving 'Today': 5 Shocking Revelations About Her Final Day

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The news that Hoda Kotb would be stepping down as co-anchor of the *Today* show sent shockwaves through the television industry and left millions of viewers wondering: "When is Hoda Kotb's last day?" The beloved host’s departure, announced in late 2024, marks the end of an era for NBC’s flagship morning program, concluding a remarkable 26-year tenure with the network. While the final broadcast will be a celebratory "Hoda-bration," the reasons behind her exit—and her massive, surprising new career ventures—reveal a calculated move toward a new personal and professional chapter.

As of today, December 23, 2025, the final, confirmed date for her farewell as co-anchor is set for Friday, January 10, 2025. This highly anticipated last day will be a poignant moment for fans who have watched her alongside co-hosts like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager for years. This article dives into the fresh, unique details surrounding her exit, including the surprising salary negotiations, her replacement, and the ambitious new projects that will define her next era.

Hoda Kotb: A Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Hoda Kotb’s journey to becoming one of America’s most recognizable morning show hosts is a testament to perseverance, starting long before her national fame on NBC. Her comprehensive profile details a career built on local news reporting and a gradual rise to the top of broadcast journalism.

  • Full Name: Hoda Kotb
  • Born: August 9, 1964
  • Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
  • Parents: Egyptian immigrants.
  • Education: Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, 1986).
  • Early Career: Began her career in local news, working at stations in cities across the South and Midwest, including Mississippi, Illinois, Florida, and Louisiana.
  • NBC News National Correspondent: Joined NBC News in 1998.
  • Dateline NBC: Served as a contributing anchor and correspondent from 1998 to 2008.
  • *Today* Show Debut: Began co-hosting the fourth hour of the *Today* show, later titled *Today with Hoda & Jenna*, in 2007, originally with Kathie Lee Gifford.
  • Co-Anchor of *Today*: Named co-anchor of the main 7–9 a.m. hours of *Today* alongside Savannah Guthrie in 2018.
  • Departure Announcement: Announced her plan to leave the co-anchor role on September 26, 2024.
  • Final Day as Co-Anchor: Friday, January 10, 2025.

The Shocking Real Reason Behind Hoda’s Departure from the *Today* Show

While Hoda Kotb’s announcement was framed as a move toward a "new era" and a desire to spend more time on personal passions, industry reports point to a more complex financial decision that ultimately led to her resignation as co-anchor.

The primary catalyst for her exit is widely reported to be a significant proposed salary cut from NBC. Negotiations over her contract, which was set to expire, reportedly stalled after the network presented a reduced compensation package. For a host of Kotb’s stature and popularity, this move was seen as a major point of contention.

The decision to step down was not a full retirement, but rather a strategic pivot. By leaving the demanding daily co-anchor role, Kotb retains a relationship with the network while freeing up her schedule to pursue new, highly profitable ventures. She penned a heartfelt letter to the cast and crew on September 26, 2024, confirming her departure, which reportedly came as a surprise to many within the production.

The "Hoda-bration": Details of Her Final Week

The week leading up to her final broadcast on January 10, 2025, has been officially dubbed the "Hoda-bration" by the *Today* show. This week-long tribute is designed to celebrate her immense contribution to the show and will feature a lineup of special guests and highlights from her career.

The final broadcast itself is expected to be an emotional affair, with appearances from her children, her former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, and current colleagues like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager. The segment will undoubtedly reflect the enormous impact she has had on morning television, particularly her candid and heartfelt approach to interviewing and storytelling.

Who Is Replacing Hoda Kotb? The New *Today* Lineup

The question of who would fill the massive shoes left by Hoda Kotb was quickly answered by NBC. The network announced that Craig Melvin will be taking over as the new co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie.

Craig Melvin, who is already a familiar face to viewers as a longtime anchor on the *Today* show, will officially begin his new role on Monday, January 13, 2025, just three days after Kotb’s departure. This transition is intended to provide a seamless continuity for the flagship broadcast, leveraging Melvin’s experience and rapport with the existing team.

It is important to note that while Kotb is stepping away from the main co-anchor chair, she will remain a part of the NBC family in a different capacity, which is yet to be fully specified. This arrangement ensures that her presence will still be felt across the network, even as the new lineup takes shape.

Hoda Kotb’s Next Chapter: New Book and Wellness Company

The "new era" Hoda Kotb spoke of is already taking shape with two major, high-profile projects that showcase her transition from a full-time news anchor to a media entrepreneur and inspirational author. This move is a clear indication that her departure is less about retirement and more about career change and expansion.

The New Book: *Jump and Find Joy*

Kotb is set to release a new book titled *Jump and Find Joy* in September 2025. This book is expected to be a continuation of her inspirational writing, focusing on themes of self-discovery, positivity, and embracing change—a topic particularly relevant given her own major career transition. To promote the book, she is planning an extensive book tour, which would have been nearly impossible to execute while maintaining her rigorous, early-morning *Today* show schedule.

Launching a Wellness Company

In a surprising move, Hoda Kotb revealed her plans to start a wellness company during an appearance on *The Kelly Clarkson Show* on January 6, 2025. While details are still emerging, the venture is expected to capitalize on her widespread reputation as a source of optimism and motivation. This business move aligns perfectly with her brand and allows her to connect with her audience in a new, direct way, offering advice and products related to mental and emotional well-being.

These post-*Today* plans—the book, the tour, and the wellness company—paint a clear picture of an ambitious and strategic career shift. Hoda Kotb is not leaving the spotlight; she is simply redirecting it toward projects that offer her more creative control and a healthier work-life balance, all while maintaining her status as a beloved public figure. Her final day on the *Today* show on January 10, 2025, will not be a goodbye to her audience, but a grand transition into a new, exciting phase of her professional life.

hoda kotb last day
hoda kotb last day

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