Hoda Kotb’s two young daughters were the driving force behind her decision to leave the Today show after nearly two decades, but they weren’t the only factor.
Despite her close friendship with co-host Jenna Bush Hager, the TV host, 60, always felt they never captured the chemistry she shared with former host Kathie Lee Gifford, 71, sources exclusively told DailyMail. com.
Fans were devastated Thursday morning when Hoda, a mother of two, tearfully announced that she will officially step down early next year after 17 years on the flagship show and nearly three decades at NBC.
There was reportedly “no amount of money” he would accept to change his mind, as he hopes to spend more time with Haley, seven, and Hope, five, as well as take advantage of “rich” opportunities, including the possibility to find a new partner. man, which Kathie Lee has enjoyed since she stepped down in 2019.
“Yes, it’s about her daughters and being able to walk them to school, but she’s also seen how rich the life Kathie Lee Gifford has lived since she quit smoking: she’s had a boyfriend, she’s written a play, books, music, he even wrote and acted. in a movie,” the source said.
Hoda Kotb’s young daughters were the driving force behind her decision to leave the Today show after nearly two decades, but they weren’t the only factor, inside sources told the Daily Mail.
Despite her close friendship with co-host Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb always felt the chemistry was never the same as when she hosted alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, 71
“Kathie Lee is happier than ever.”
While Hoda didn’t mention her former co-host during her shocking announcement, a second source claimed that Kathie Lee’s exit inspired Hoda’s decision.
“It was never the same after Kathie Lee left – they had the best chemistry together on the show,” the source explained. “Hoda loves Jenna, of course, but the reality is that Jenna is not a veteran like Hoda.”
The source continued: ‘Jenna has made some unfortunate mistakes on air and had to apologize to her celebrity guests.
‘Hoda held her hand through it all and constantly reassured her, and they have become close, almost like a mother-daughter duo at work. Jenna has looked up to Hoda as if she were a mentor.
Hoda hosted the fourth hour of Today alongside Kathie Lee from 2008 to 2019, and the pair delighted fans with their news and booze antics. She was replaced by 42-year-old Jenna.
The source continued: ‘Hoda and Kathie are lifelong friends, and the show just hasn’t been the same without them laughing together while drinking white wine on the show; It was a riot. Hoda has loved having Jenna under her wing, but with them it has been a different dynamic.”
Hoda is aware of how much her estimated $7 million-a-year role at the station takes her away from her daughters, and Hope’s recent health scare is a stark reminder that she needs to focus on motherhood.
“Nothing in the universe is, or will ever be, more important to Hoda than her role as a mother,” a third insider said. “Last year, due to her work, she was away for periods of time and refuses to let these girls grow up in the care of anyone but herself.”
The 60-year-old TV star, pictured with her daughters Hope, five, and Haley, seven, wants to focus on being a mother.
The source explained, “With Hope’s health issues, Hoda can no longer take a backseat to parenting.”
Hoda had taken several unplanned weeks off after Hope was hospitalized in the ICU in 2023.
The broadcaster first spoke about her hospital stay on March 6 last year when she returned to Today and told Savannah Guthrie: ‘My youngest Hope was in the ICU for a few days and then in the hospital for just over a week.
‘I’m very grateful that he’s home, that he’s back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching it closely. I’m so happy.’
Hoda then paid tribute to all the doctors and medical staff who cared for her daughter, before thanking her family and friends for all their support during the difficult time.
The source explained that the star has now refused to leave her daughter in the care of others and has realized that it is time for someone else to take the reins at Today.
“With Hope’s health issues, Hoda can no longer take a backseat to parenting,” the source said. “Hoda has achieved everything she ever wanted and more with this job.”
They added: “There is no amount of money in the world that NBC could have offered her to change her mind.” Everyone understands it perfectly and supports us.’
Hoda has made no secret of the struggles she faced while Hope dealt with her undisclosed medical issue.
After Hope’s time in the hospital last year, the star recently moved from her New York City apartment to a house in the suburbs with her children.
Speaking to People, the NBC star previously said: ‘We had a scary run. Any parent who has gone through something scary with their child understands this. It’s like you can’t believe your child is sick.
‘You can’t believe there’s nothing you can do. You can’t believe that no matter what you do, you can’t eliminate him or protect her or all the things we’re supposed to do as parents. And it’s a position I’ve never found myself in.”
The TV host initially hired extra help to balance new medical demands with her rigid work schedule, a move that helped make life more “stabilized” as she worked hard to try to “make everything normal” for her little daughters.
She admitted to the publication: “It’s really complicated, because I don’t want Hope to be tagged.” She is a very vibrant child and most days everything is totally fine. I don’t want people to look at her any other way.
Naturally, the future already looks bright for Hoda, with a source adding: “Hoda has an impeccable track record in broadcasting – she already has job offers in the pipeline, but she wants to do things that fit her schedule and not each other.” over there.
Meanwhile, a telltale sign that the star was ready to make a change came earlier this year when Hoda moved from her New York City apartment to a house in the suburbs.
Reflecting on the move in August, she stated on Today with Hoda and Jenna: ‘Everything is new: new kids, new school, new things, new everything.
‘And it’s funny because all I could think was that I wanted my house for the kids to feel warm and cozy and a place where they would want to hang out. And that’s it.’
He added: ‘I love that whole kind of reset, transplant, starting something new. It feels really good.’
During her emotional on-air announcement on Thursday’s show, Hoda tearfully confirmed that her decision had a lot to do with her daughters.
She said: “I obviously 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.”
During her emotional announcement on the Thursday show, the star sobbed alongside her co-hosts Jenna, 42, and Savannah Guthrie, 52.
Hoda sat holding hands with her co-hosts, including Jenna, 42, whom she called “ride or die.”
Unsurprisingly, fans were quick to share their devastation, with some even admitting that they’ll “finish watching” when she’s gone.
“Please tell this is a joke,” read one comment, while another viewer said: “A huge, irreplaceable loss.”
Others admitted the news had made them cry: ‘Literally crying after putting on my make-up.
‘I start my day with you every day. I’ll miss you. Best wishes for all your future projects.’
‘Oh sir. “I’m crying walking out the school door,” someone else added.
