Dates, ad deals and health scare – the reasons Hoda Kotb decided to bring down the curtain on Today job after 17 years

Hoda Kotb’s decision to step down from her long-standing role on the Today show after 17 years has been a topic of much discussion. According to sources close to the beloved television personality, a combination of personal and professional factors influenced her choice, ultimately leading her to prioritize her family and well-being.

One of the most significant reasons for Hoda’s departure is her desire to spend more time with her two daughters, Hope and Haley. As a mother, Hoda has always been dedicated to her children, but the demanding schedule of morning television took a toll on her ability to be present in their lives. An insider revealed that the early morning hours and the exhaustion that followed left her feeling disconnected from her kids. “You want to be there for your kids, and she’s just completely wiped by the time it gets around to after school,” the source explained. This sentiment was amplified when Hope faced a health scare earlier this year, prompting Hoda to reevaluate her priorities and the time she could dedicate to her family.

Hoda’s recent milestone birthday also played a crucial role in her decision. Turning 60 served as a wake-up call, prompting her to reflect on her life and what she truly wanted moving forward. “What does that decade mean? And I realize it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” she shared during her emotional announcement. This introspection led her to recognize that her children deserved more of her time, especially as they grow older and require different forms of support and engagement.

In addition to family considerations, Hoda’s personal life has also been a factor. The source indicated that she is eager to explore new romantic relationships and enjoy a more balanced social life. “She wants to have a boyfriend, she wants to have that life and she wants to date,” the insider noted. This desire for companionship and connection is something many can relate to, especially as life evolves and priorities shift.

Moreover, Hoda’s professional landscape has changed. The restrictions imposed by NBC on brand endorsements and advertisements limited her ability to explore lucrative opportunities outside of her role on Today. With her departure, she now has the freedom to pursue various ventures, including potential partnerships with brands like L’Oreal, which could significantly enhance her income.

Hoda’s commute also became a burden after she moved from New York City to the suburbs of Westchester. The early morning drives added to her fatigue, making the already grueling schedule even more challenging. As she transitions away from the daily grind of morning television, she looks forward to a more manageable routine that allows her to enjoy life with her daughters and even consider getting a dog.

While Hoda’s departure from Today marks the end of an era, it is not a complete farewell to NBC. She plans to remain within the network, taking on special correspondent roles and continuing her podcast, “Making Space.” Hoda’s journey reflects a broader narrative of balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment, and her decision resonates with many who strive to find harmony in their own lives. As she embarks on this new chapter, Hoda Kotb’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, stepping back is the first step toward a more fulfilling future.

Dates, ad deals and health scare – the reasons Hoda Kotb decided to bring down the curtain on Today job after 17 years

HODA Kotb had a long list of reasons to end her 17-year run on morning TV, according to a source.

The insider told The U.S. Sun that Hoda’s crushing morning show schedule had become problematic for her work-life balance, and the “life” part of the equation ultimately weighed heavily on her decision to leave Today.

Hoda Kotb, pictured with Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of Today, had plenty of reasons to leave her gig at the morning showCredit: Getty

An insider explained that Hoda Kotb’s daughters, Hope and Haley, very much factored into her decision to leave the showCredit: Instagram/Hoda Kotb
The mother of two found she couldn’t dedicate enough time to her two kids, Hope, 5, and Haley, 7.

“You want to be there for your kids, and she’s just completely wiped by the time it gets around to after school,” an insider explained.

“She loves these girls so much, and then when Hope was sick and hospitalized, everything changed for her with her views on work.”

Hoda’s daughter, Hope was hospitalized in February 2023 after a “scary” incident, though the star kept her child’s medical diagnosis private.

“I think people don’t realize to be on morning TV, its like being an athlete, your whole life is about that,” the insider continued.

“Getting up at three o’clock every morning, and then you go to bed at eight o’clock, which was fine when her kids were three or four years old, but now that her kids have grown up a bit, they don’t want to go to bed at eight o’clock. The kids are up later than Hoda.

“Morning TV is a young person’s game, since it has grueling hours, and it just gets harder as you get older.

“Hoda’s 60th birthday was a wake-up call for her.”

READY FOR LOVE

The insider said that on top of her wanting to be there for her daughters, the daytime TV host, who was spotted with a mystery man in March, very much wants to be able to go on dates.

“She wants to have a boyfriend, she wants to have that life and she wants to date,” they added.

Hoda Kotb reveals reason she broke up with ex-fiance Joel Schiffman saying ‘lot of people probably’ in same situation
The insider also said that Hoda was unable to do brand endorsements or advertisements because she was under strict NBC rules.

That now will change, the source said.

“Hoda can become the face of L’Oreal. She could potentially make more money now that she’s off the show.”

Meanwhile, on another family front, the source noted Hoda’s relationship with her mother, Sameha, was also a focal point of her decision to leave Today.

“She loves her mom and she’s getting up there in age and isn’t in the greatest of health, so she would like more time with her.”

TERRIBLE COMMUTE

In one more reason to step away from the morning show, Hoda’s commute was much worse after she moved from New York City to the suburbs in Westchester.

“Her moving was the beginning of the end, she’s commuting in and out every morning at four o’clock.”

And now that she’s seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with her schedule, and having more space in the suburbs with her daughters.

The insider added that she also plans to get a dog.

HODA’S NEXT ACT

Hoda has been in talks with NBC execs about her departure for “about a year,” the insider said.

They noted that she isn’t leaving NBC, and will change gears to doing special correspondent work and interviewing celebrities in long-format segments.

She will also continue recording her podcast, Making Space, and the accomplished children’s author will also write more books.

BITTERSWEET END

Hoda announced her departure from Today on Thursday morning.

She fought back tears as she told her co-hosts, “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old…What does that decade mean? And I realize it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new.”

The beloved host explained that celebrating her 60th birthday with her children was the “top of the wave” for her.

She thought, “It can’t get any better,” and knew it was time to move on.

Hoda also noted that since she became a mom later in life, they “deserve a bigger piece of my time pie.”

She said leaving Today was “the hardest thing in the world,” and promised she would “stay in the NBC family,” but revealed she would be departing the morning show in early 2025.

A insider revealed that Hoda, pictured with a mystery man in New York City in March, also very much wants to date and find loveCredit: Wise Owl – Commissioned by The US Sun Digital edition