Hoda Kotb’s Last Day On ‘Today’: How She Left The Show And What’s Next For Her

Hoda Kotb‘s time on the Today show has officially ended. According to People, the 60-year-old journalist signed off for the last time on Friday after 17 years as an anchor on the NBC news program.

“I’m not even able to articulate it because I’m a mess most of the time, but I just want to say thanks,” Kotb said tearfully. “Carson [Daly], you’re like the secret sauce on this show, man. Without you, the show doesn’t hum. Like, you have the thing, and you brought it. You bring it every day.”

Reflecting on Hoda’s Last Day on ‘Today’

Kotb continued, thanking her co-anchors for their friendship both on and off-screen.

“Al, you’re my first friend here, the first person I met,” she told Al Roker. “When I got sick, you were the first person that walked into the room and said I was going to be okay.”

She also had heartfelt words for Savannah Guthrie, calling her “my person.”

“Who shows up for everybody? This girl,” Kotb said. “When your brother died, it was this girl. When I was going through stuff with Hope, it was this girl. She’s in the room. She’s always in the room, and I love you.”

Kotb concluded her goodbyes by wishing her replacement, Craig Melvin, well.

“Craig, I mean, I’m so happy for you,” she said. “You earned this. You own this. And come Monday at 7:00 a.m., I’m going to be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic. You’re going to bring it home! Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are going to be magic.”

Star-Studded Farewell on Hoda’s Last Day

After Kotb’s heartfelt farewells, a lineup of guests came to bid her adieu, including Maria Shriver and Simone Biles, who affectionately called Kotb her “Olympic mom.” Kotb told Biles she’s looking forward to seeing her in Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic Games.

What’s Next for Hoda After ‘Today’?

Slowing down isn’t part of Kotb’s future. According to Yahoo! Entertainment, she’s launching a wellness brand, which she discussed during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this week.

“I am starting a wellness app and company that will involve retreats and a podcast and all kinds of things that we can get together, do things that I love,” she shared. “It’s not like going to Mexico with your girls, which is fun, but this is something that when you leave, you’ll go like, ‘Oh my gosh. I feel transformed. I feel different.’”

She added, “I started doing stuff that I thought seemed woo-woo and weird. 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.”

Kotb revealed to host Kelly Clarkson that the company is still in development and is expected to launch in the spring.

Continuing Ties with NBC and Family Focus

Kotb is also maintaining her relationship with NBC in an unspecified role, Blavity previously reported. Although she hasn’t shared details about her new position, the New York Times reported in November that she “will remain as a contributor to Today.”

Additionally, Kotb plans to spend more time with her daughters, 5-year-old Hope and 7-year-old Haley, whom she adopted later in life, Yahoo Entertainment noted. The family recently relocated from New York City to suburban Westchester. Kotb previously shared that turning 60 prompted her to reassess her life, realizing her daughters “need and deserve a bigger piece of my time pie.”