Hoda Kotb has revealed her advice for the lucky reporter who takes her seat on the Today show after her upcoming departure.
Kotb, 60, will leave the show after 26 years at NBC News next year and announced his departure on-air last month.
During an interview with PeopleHe advised whoever ends up replacing her to be “1000%” himself on the air.
Kotb, co-host of Hour Four with Jenna Bush Hager and co-host of Today with Savannah Guthrie, also recommended that her future replacement give her colleague a chance to “shine.”
“Whoever is interested in that seat, and it might be the best seat on television, I think the best advice I have is to be 1,000% who you are, because that’s really the key,” he said.
Hoda Kotb has revealed her advice for the lucky reporter who takes her seat on the Today show after her upcoming departure.
‘And the other thing is that sometimes for me part of the magic is being able to delight in the person sitting next to you. It’s such a small thing, but sometimes when you’re with someone, if you just let it shine. Give everyone a second, because who wants to be the person at the cocktail party who’s talking the whole time?’
Kotb announced last month that he will be leaving Today early next year.
The longtime anchor, who first joined Dateline NBC in 1998 before eventually landing her current role as co-anchor, shared the surprising update in a heartfelt message to her ‘Today family’ on air.
Hoda, who has been a part of NBC News for 26 years, immediately became emotional when she explained to her fellow co-hosts that turning 60 had been a “monumental moment” that made her decide it was time to “try something new.”
The television icon, who reportedly earns around $8 million a year, also wrote a letter explaining his “painful” decision to his colleagues, further explaining that celebrating his 60th birthday caused a seismic “change” in his life.
“As I write this, my heart is all over the place,” Hoda said. ‘I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s painful. And you all are the reason. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I feel that deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.
‘My time at NBC has been the longest professional love story of my life. But only because you have been by my side on this twenty-six year adventure. Looking back, the math is crazy. 26 years at NBC News: ten years at Dateline, seven at seven, sixteen at ten.
She continued: ‘I imagine their faces and their families and all the ways they have lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. Many of my professional relationships have become some of my dearest friendships.’
He went on to pay a heartbreaking tribute to his ‘ride or die’ Jenna Bush Hager, and stated that he will ‘desperately’ miss everyone he has worked with on the popular morning show.
Hoda, pictured late last month, has been with NBC News for 26 years.
During an interview with People, he advised that whoever ends up replacing her be “1000%” himself on the air.
“Savannah: my rock,” he continued. ‘Jenna: my ride or die. Al: My oldest friend on 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. “I will desperately miss each and every one of you at TODAY.”
The TV star added that she’s been thinking a lot about the decision, continuing, “I’ve been weighing this decision for quite some time. Am I really ready?” But celebrating my sixtieth birthday at the Plaza felt like a change.
‘Like a massive, joyous YES, you are! I saw it all very clearly: my television career has been more than significant, a new decade of my life awaits me, and now my daughters and my mother need and deserve a larger portion of my time. I will miss you all desperately, but I am ready and excited.
‘As I will be working until early 2025, there is plenty of time to talk about what lies ahead for us all. But one thing I’m sure of now is this: everything is going to be okay. The peacock’s feathers never ruffle… no matter who comes or goes. TODAY and its incredible people, all of you, never waver. You always weather change with grace and grit.
And she concluded: “Happy and grateful, I plan to continue being part of the NBC family, the longest working relationship I have been lucky enough to hold close to my heart.” I’ll be here. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be part of mine.
Kotb announced last month that he will be leaving the show early next year.
During her emotional announcement on the show, the star sobbed alongside her fellow presenters.
During her emotional announcement, the star sat hand in hand with her fellow presenters as she explained how a key part of her decision fell on her young daughters, Haley, seven, and Hope, five.
She stated: “I had my children late in my life and I think they deserve a bigger slice of my time pie, we only have an infinite amount of time.”
