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5 Shocking Reasons Hoda Kotb Is Leaving The Today Show And Her Massive New NBC Deal

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The news that Hoda Kotb is leaving the *Today Show* in early 2025 has sent shockwaves through the television world, marking the end of an era for one of morning television's most beloved anchors. After a remarkable run that saw her become a staple of the 4th hour alongside Jenna Bush Hager and a co-anchor of the main show, her departure is one of the biggest stories of late 2024 and early 2025. The official reason is a poignant one, centered on family and a desire to "turn the page" after her 60th birthday. However, a deeper dive into the contract negotiations and her exciting new ventures reveals a more complex, multi-layered story about a broadcasting legend choosing her next chapter.

The final broadcast for Hoda Kotb as a full-time anchor is officially scheduled for January 10, 2025. While the emotional announcement focused on her personal life, the reality of a major network star stepping away from a high-profile, high-salary position often involves a strategic career reset. This article breaks down the stated reasons, the persistent rumors, and the exciting new role she has already secured with NBC, ensuring she remains a prominent figure in media for years to come.

Hoda Kotb: Complete Biography and Career Timeline

Hoda Kotb is an Egyptian-American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author. She is widely celebrated for her warm, empathetic interviewing style and her inspiring personal story of surviving breast cancer and becoming a mother through adoption later in life.

  • Full Name: Hoda Kotb
  • Date of Birth: August 9, 1964
  • Age (as of late 2024): 60
  • Place of Birth: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
  • Parents: Sameha Kotb (Mother) and Abdel Kader Kotb (Father)
  • Education: Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, 1986)
  • Early Career: Began her career in local news, with anchoring and reporting roles in Mississippi, Illinois, Florida, and Louisiana.
  • NBC News Start: Joined NBC News as a correspondent for *Dateline NBC* in 1998.
  • *Today Show* Debut: Joined the *Today Show* in 2007 as co-host of the 4th hour with Kathie Lee Gifford.
  • Morning Show Anchor: Named co-anchor of the main *Today Show* (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) in January 2018, replacing Matt Lauer, alongside Savannah Guthrie.
  • Family: Adopted two daughters with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman: Haley Joy (born 2017) and Hope Catherine (born 2019).
  • Books: Author of several bestsellers, including *Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee* and *I Really Needed This Today*. Her latest book, *Jump and Find Joy*, is set for a 2025 release.
  • Departure Announcement: Announced her decision to step down from the *Today Show* in September 2024, with her final day set for January 10, 2025.

The Primary Reason: A New Chapter Focused on Family

The most prominent and publicly stated reason for Hoda Kotb's departure from the demanding schedule of the *Today Show* is her desire to prioritize her personal life and spend more time with her young daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine.

The 60th Birthday Realization

Hoda turned 60 in August 2024, a milestone that she cited as a major catalyst for her decision. She explained that the demanding early-morning schedule of a national news anchor—which often requires a 3:00 a.m. alarm—was no longer compatible with the life she wanted to lead. On air, she shared a poignant sentiment, saying, "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page." This decision reflects a common theme among high-profile professionals: a desire for work-life balance after decades of relentless commitment to a career.

Prioritizing Motherhood

Hoda has often spoken about the joy and challenges of becoming a mother later in life. The rigorous *Today Show* schedule meant missing out on crucial morning moments with her children. Her decision to step down is a clear choice to trade the national spotlight for more time at home. She mentioned that while the 3 a.m. alarm clock is out the window, she still plans on getting a workout in before 6 a.m., indicating a shift in her morning routine to a more family-friendly pace.

The Rumored Reason: Contract Negotiations and The $20 Million Deal

While the official narrative is centered on family, industry insiders and reports suggest that contract negotiations with NBC News played a significant, underlying role in her decision to leave the anchor chair. These rumors introduce a layer of professional complexity to her departure.

The Salary Standoff

According to several reports, a key factor in Hoda’s exit was her inability to secure the lucrative contract she desired. It was widely reported that she was seeking a contract in the range of $20 million, which NBC reportedly refused to meet. The network's reluctance to agree to the terms she wanted may have served as the final push for Hoda to pursue a less time-consuming, but still highly compensated, career path.

This kind of contract dispute is not uncommon in the competitive world of morning television, where anchors command massive salaries. The rumored financial disagreement suggests that her departure was not solely a personal choice but a strategic business decision made after a period of intense negotiation.

A Shift in Morning Show Dynamics

The news of her replacement, Sheinelle Jones, also sheds light on the network's long-term strategy. Jones, who has been a beloved member of the *Today Show* family for years, is seen as a natural successor. The network's swift announcement of the replacement suggests that the transition was planned and that NBC was prepared for Hoda's decision, possibly having reached an impasse in their contract talks well before the public announcement.

Hoda's Exciting New Career Path: The NBC Special Correspondent Role

Crucially, Hoda Kotb is not leaving NBC entirely. Far from retiring, she has signed a major new deal that ensures her continued, high-profile presence on the network, albeit in a different capacity. This new role allows her to maintain her connection with the audience while having a significantly more flexible schedule.

Special Correspondent and Olympic Coverage

Under her new agreement, Hoda will transition to a special correspondent role for the *Today Show* and NBC News. This position will involve:

  • Exclusive Interviews: Conducting high-profile, exclusive interviews, a task for which she is uniquely suited due to her empathetic and probing style.
  • Olympic Games Coverage: She is contracted to cover the next two Olympic Games, starting with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Her work on the Olympics has always been a highlight for NBC, and securing her for future coverage is a major win for the network.

This new deal is a perfect compromise, giving Hoda the freedom from the daily grind while keeping her star power associated with major NBC events. It represents a significant "next big career move" that she has been working on.

New Ventures: Writing and Wellness

Beyond her new NBC role, Hoda is expanding her personal brand through new ventures in publishing and wellness, allowing her to focus on topics she is passionate about:

  • Book Tour for *Jump and Find Joy*: She is set to embark on a book tour in September 2025 to promote her latest book, *Jump and Find Joy*. This tour will keep her in the public eye and allow her to connect with fans across the country.
  • Wellness Venture: Hoda has also launched a new wellness venture called "Joy 101." This project aligns with her personal message of positivity and resilience, offering her a platform outside of hard news to share her inspiring outlook on life.

Ultimately, Hoda Kotb's departure from the *Today Show* is a calculated, strategic pivot. It is a powerful example of a woman choosing to redefine success on her own terms, balancing a desire for a more present family life with a commitment to high-impact journalism and new personal projects. The daily morning show will undoubtedly feel her absence, but her audience can look forward to seeing her continue to shine in her new, flexible roles across NBC and beyond.

why is hoda leaving the today show
why is hoda leaving the today show

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