Kathie Lee Gifford recently shared a heartfelt message in support of Hoda Kotb following Kotb’s announcement that she will be leaving the TODAY show in early 2025, a move that left many fans surprised. Kotb, who has been a beloved co-anchor for years, is stepping down to focus on her family and personal life.
Gifford, who co-hosted the fourth hour of TODAY alongside Kotb from 2008 to 2019, took to social media to express her love and admiration for her former colleague. On X (formerly Twitter), she posted an emotional message along with two nostalgic photos of the pair during their time on the show. Gifford wrote, “Bittersweet news as my dear friend @hodakotb steps away from the TODAY show. Her warmth, laughter, and incredible spirit have brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts. Here’s to new adventures!”
Kotb, after 17 years with the show, made the difficult decision to leave her role, sharing the news with the TODAY staff on September 26 in a heartfelt letter. In her message, she admitted that while her heart was “all over the map,” she knew it was the right time to step away, despite the emotional difficulty. She reflected on the idea that “two things can be right at the same time”—acknowledging both her sadness about leaving and her excitement for what’s next.
Kotb explained that her decision was largely influenced by her desire to spend more time with her daughters and mother, especially as she enters a new phase of life. While she expressed how much she would miss her colleagues and the show, she is looking forward to this new chapter.
Although Kotb will officially leave TODAY in early 2025, she reassured fans and colleagues that she will still remain a part of the NBC family. In her farewell note, she wrote, “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family, and you all will always be a part of mine.”