Hoda Kotb shares ‘agonizing’ details on shock Today show exit: ‘Something’s gotta give’

Hoda Kotb revealed that her decision to leave the Today Show came after she reflected on how she wanted to spend her 60’s.

The mother of two – who is the feature cover story for People magazine – explained that her two daughters were the main reason why she chose to leave her position – specifically, wanting to spend more time with them.

The anchor, 60, said that she struggled with wanting to be with her kids and wanting to be excellent at her job, but found it hard to juggle both.

Hoda is mom to two daughters, Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, four – both of whom she adopted.

The mother of two – who is the feature cover story for People magazine – explained that her two daughters were the main reason why she chose to leave her position – specifically, wanting to spend more time with them; pictured October 8 in NYC

‘There’s this guilt you carry because you can’t be 100% at work and 100% at home. Something has to give if you want excellence. If you’re going to be excellent at work, something has to give at home.’

Hoda continued: ‘And if you want to be excellent at home, I mean excellent, and do all the things, something has to give at work. It can’t be equal.’ 

‘I knew I wanted this decade to be different. I looked at my time like a pie. I was like, this is how much time I get, and now what am I going to do with it and how am I  going to carve it up?’ Hoda said.

Adding: ‘And I wanted it to be filled with more of them.’ 

Hoda announced she was leaving the Today show in an announcement on September 26 – after 17 years as a Today Show co-host for the 10 am hour and 25 years at NBC. 

She is leaving her position in early 2025. 

Hoda is mom to two daughters, Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, four – both of whom she adopted

The star said she began thinking about what she wanted to do next in life after turning 60, asking herself what it would look like.

‘I like adventure, I like new beginnings. I’m a sunrise person and not a sunset person, and I was wondering, what does it look like for me?’ 

One of the things Hoda is looking forward to is taking her daughters to school.

The host said she’s had to wake up at 3:30 am every day including weekends for her job – which means she would get tired by 9 pm.

‘I’m not going to be playing beat the clock all the time anymore,’ she said. 

Hoda and her daughters moved out of the Upper West Side in Manhattan, now living in a home in Westchester, where the star says she has a swing set and a yard.

Hoda’s youngest daughter Hope had a medical crisis in February 2023, which she chosen not to disclose, which also led to her decision to move them out of the city.

One of the things Hoda is looking forward to is taking her daughters to school; seen May 13

‘We’re in a place where Hope is thriving. She is improving, we’re watching her, and I think that as time goes on, we’ll have a better handle on it, but we’re already seeing great differences,’ she told the outlet.

‘We have really excellent care, I have people who are helping us out. I feel like she is finding steady footing,’ she added.