After Walking Millions Through the News for Decades, Hoda Kotb Is Embracing a New Era

It started in the late 1980s. Hoda Kotb began her career in broadcast journalism as a local reporter in Mississippi, and instantly—truly instantly—she grabbed the attention of those lucky to watch her. Her rare mix of warmth and gravitas lent a sense of connection and realness.

In the decade-plus following, Kotb stretched her talent for telling the news, finding herself in reporting and anchoring roles for CBS and ABC affiliates in various states, from Illinois to Florida to Louisiana. She ultimately landed at NBC in 1998, the network that grew to be her home for reporting. Kotb has done it all these last two decades at NBC, from correspondent to TODAY host. In every story, she's infused hope and light. Every word, depth and insight. Her smile has been a constant player in her work, even on the hard days delivering dire news.

Kotb has given all of us viewers a reason to feel hopeful. She said it best when she won a Webby award in 2023. "Listen and love love love," she said as she accepted the honor.

And now, after years of delivering the news in a way that makes it feel like she's talking exclusively with you, Kotb has stepped away from her full-time anchoring duties at NBC to follow new dreams. This Friday marked her final show on TODAY, after being on the show for more than 17 years and with the NBC News family for 26. It was a final show of love and light. Members from her beloved NBC family, including co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager, and Craig Melvin looked back at the "Kotb era" and ahead at what she calls her "repotting era."

Maria was there to celebrate Kotb for her last show, "You were brave enough to say, 'I think I want to follow this voice of mine into the unknown,'" Maria said to her longtime NBC colleague and dear friend. "What you're doing is so brave, and I think it's such an inspiration to millions of people who also want to come alive in their lives." Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Simone Biles, and Jamie Lee Curtis also shared their excitement for Kotb.

'We're all in your whole wide world, and it's just going to keep getting bigger and better, and you're going to change lives, yours and others," added Maria. "That's why we're here."

It is indeed why we, fans of Kotb, are here. Her meaningful life—which will now include more time with her daughters embracing her 60s, and a new dedication to the wellness space—is inclusive, kind, and ever-giving. Kotb understands the nuance of life and how we're all on a journey to craft meaning and do the best we can in this world. We've learned so much from her, most recently, that the best time to listen to our hearts is now.

We can't wait to continue to watch Kotb's next chapter—moving into her passion, helping people feel seen and good, and bettering the world.

You can learn more about Hoda Kotb's new chapter in our recent episode Above the Noise with Maria here.