Hoda Kotb Reveals Why She Really Left the ‘Today’ Show

[{"selector":"#anim-75c4ae06-5726-4660-a2e0-0da582c4ab41 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.317307500058337%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In an emotional return to “Today,” Hoda finally opens up about the real reason behind her departure

[{"selector":"#anim-6f127890-cb45-44fc-8586-42fb4904e9b3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.804012186722776%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hoda shared that her 6-year-old daughter Hope lives with Type 1 diabetes

[{"selector":"#anim-a94da090-183e-4fb2-bdcb-3b95336a2f66 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.67138582522915%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Savannah Guthrie revealed that Hoda would show up smiling after sleepless nights caring for Hope.

[{"selector":"#anim-6c0d788b-dfb4-4eb1-a058-a9575a4b55a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.265842193150615%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hoda told People that caring for Hope includes constant care—often with multiple daily injections.

[{"selector":"#anim-d8c5fba6-adc6-486c-8cbd-47e4d6e2a903 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.223604236793715%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] “I would never want Hope to grow up thinking I left my job because of her,” Hoda said.

[{"selector":"#anim-a46e0730-6949-4223-87b8-1f5fb7e48221 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.713302598854884%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hoda described her return to the studio as a “weird rush of emotions”—both painful and healing.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd9c225d-8271-4128-9f07-9e5ccf9f9d93 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.016447247161633%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Kotb said she felt too far from her daughter while at work. Now, being closer gives her peace

[{"selector":"#anim-9b35a7fb-bb28-48b2-a512-cedbe3b3b5fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.157545198180433%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hoda praised her former co-host on-air: “I’ve been watching you every single day

[{"selector":"#anim-3fee07dd-088b-4df1-a910-c757d7574382 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.656939878970974%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hoda shut down internet chatter about taking over Kelly Clarkson’s show.

[{"selector":"#anim-1535951d-1af3-47c0-816a-bbb0b222fa79 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.671025655454194%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] r. “You just get a priority check in your life,” she said. “This is where I belong.”

[{"selector":"#anim-b02a611a-6c7d-4bb8-8243-a16ae55b4ae4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.333518817690205%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] After announcing her departure in September, Hoda said goodbye in January 2025.