Hoda Kotb had a tearful sendoff Friday during her last day on Today, the NBC morning news franchise.
“Can I just say thank you? I haven’t been able to articulate it, because I’m a mess most times, but I just want to say thanks,” an emotional Kotb told her co-workers on air. Today as always kicked off at 7 a.m. with Guthrie giving a sombre recap of the news, which this morning revolved around wildfires in Los Angeles and president-elect Donald Trump sentenced in a New York City crime case.
Then the “Hoda-bration” began with Kotb, co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Carson Daly and Craig Melvin on the Studio 1A couch at Rockefeller Center before a goodbye video package was played.
“If I don’t do this interview, does that mean she won’t leave,” Guthrie questioned into the camera at one point, before adding: “Hoda. I love you. I love you deeply. Like I always tell you, whether sitting next to me or not, whether we get up at 4 o’clock in the morning together or not, I will always be by your side. And you will always be by mine.”
Weatherman Roker in his own tribute recalled his 2022 dire health scare. “She’s probably one of the most selfless people I know. I was gravely ill. I never had any idea how sick I was. I was in the hospital and I think Hoda was there, if not every day, almost every day… It got to the point where I think people thought she was actually a doctor.”
When the video ended, a emotional Kotb, clutching hands with a tearful Guthrie, paid tribute to her on-air colleagues. “Savannah, Oh my God. you’re my person, my person. You know who shows up for everybody? This girl. When your brother died, 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.”
She also showered praise on Roker: “You’re my first friend here, the first person I met. When I got sick, you were the first person who walked into the room and said I was going to be okay.”
And Kotb wished Melvin, who will succeed her as co-anchor alongside Guthrie, good luck. “I’m so happy for you. You’ve earned this. You own this. And come Monday, at 7 o’clock a.m., I’m going to be dead asleep,” she added, causing Melvin and others on the set’s couch to break out in laughter.
Guthrie, who made good use of the tissue box on set all morning, during one of many opportunities to thank Kotb added on air: “When we thought how best to celebrate you, Hoda, and what you’ve meant to all of us, it was really just one word — love… You are love. And we love you. You’re all about it. We’re so inspired by you every day.”
Another inspired fan was Oprah Winfrey, who appeared on her own video: “Hoda. Hoda. Hoda. Well, I know what making this decision feels like. I will assure you that yes, you have made the right move, even though it was hard to do. I know Haley and Hope are going to benefit so much from this decision. And whatever you decide to do again in your next chapter, your next adventure, it will be the best decision for you and for your family.”
Kotb in Sept. 2024 first announced her departure after 17 years with the NBC morning news franchise. Kotb said she wanted to spend more time with her two kids, Hope and Haley, who made an appearance on their mother’s final day as a Today co-anchor in the 9 a.m. hour. “I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of the time pie that I have,” she said at the time.
During the final hour, Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager read her own letter to Kotb as part of a video tribute: “And now, my dearest — you are teaching us the most important lesson of all — how to say goodbye with grace. This isn’t just any Hodini … driving off with my purse still in your car–you have been able to sit in the glow of the goodbye! Viewers have traveled miles, from other states to declare their love on poster board, every single guest has gotten to share their ‘Hoda story,’ how you have made them feel seen, and heard,” Bush Hager said as part of the letter.
For her part, Kotb also had a farewell letter to read, which she did as part of her own video tribute.
It follows in full below:
This is not a goodbye letter. This is a love letter, a love letter to you. It’s actually kind of a thank you note as well. So how do I say it? How do I say thank you for more hugs and more love than one person deserves. Sixteen years ago, I sat next to Kathie Lee, and she changed my life. She chose me. And truth be told, I was scared. I had never done anything like this before. I was a hard news person, a date line person, and then one day, she called me Hoda woman. I ripped off that news corset. We pulled up, poured ourselves a glass of wine. And so it began.
It went from Hoda woman to Hoda mama. When Haley was born, I held Haley, and you held me. You supported me, the cards, the comments, the letters, I read them all, and then Hopi came too. A new era started with Jenna Bush Hager, six unforgettable years uncontrollable laughter and pure friendship. Isn’t she so hilarious? I can hardly even say her name without laughing out loud. But that is not the part I fell in love with. I fell in love with her tears, her vulnerable, lovable self, and as I say to her in my cards to her, you’re all mine and we’re all ours.
And along and along the way, you invited me into your lives, your triumphs, your special moments and your celebrations. Having a front row seat to all of this truly helped shape who I am. Thank you so much for letting me be part of your journey. When I turned 60, you threw me one hell of a party. I reached the mountain top so high on that day, I knew in that very moment, there was no greater peak. I have become who I am on this hour of this show, and you are there with me every step of the way.
So as I sit here today in my final moments, on this final day in this chapter of my career, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my very full heart for the ride of a lifetime. I love you.
