Popular Fox Host Announce Retirement 

“Today” show’s Hoda Kotb made a major announcement, revealing that she will be stepping down as host to focus on raising her two daughters after nearly 30 years at NBC News.

On Thursday, the 60-year-old NBC host explained that turning 60 last month prompted her decision to make a lifestyle change, which includes spending more time with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, according to the “Today” show.

“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” Kotb said. “I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.’”

“And I thought it can’t get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on,” she continued. “Obviously, I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”

Hoda Kotb has announced that she is leaving TODAY early next year. pic.twitter.com/sXuRsDbNnI

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 26, 2024

Kotb became emotional as she discussed her decision. “This is the hardest thing in the world,” she said. “It’s kind of a big deal for me. I’ve been practicing so I wouldn’t cry, but anyway, I did.”

Although she is stepping down, Kotb won’t be leaving until early next year and will always remain part of the NBC family, according to the report.

Savannah Guthrie, Kotb’s co-anchor for over five years, also became emotional and expressed how much Kotb meant to the show. “We love you so much, and we don’t want you to ever go,” Guthrie said. “But also I just want to say I am so proud of my friend. You have guts… You inspire me. I love you.”

Jenna Bush Hager, who co-hosts the fourth hour of the “Today” show with Kotb, also shared her feelings. “It’s not over,” Bush Hager said, promising to remain close with Kotb even after her departure. “I’m going to be showing up at your house like the stalker you are to Zac Brown.”

Kotb’s personal life has also made headlines over the years. She began dating financier Joel Schiffman in 2013, adopted her first daughter, Haley, in 2017, and a second daughter, Hope, two years later. In 2019, Kotb and Schiffman got engaged, but in January 2022, she announced that they had called off their engagement.