Hoda Kotb, one of daytime television’s most cherished personalities, has announced she will step down from her role on NBC’s Today sometime in 2025. The announcement, made on September 26, 2024, marks the end of an era for the beloved anchor, known for her heartfelt approach to delivering the news.
From sharing personal stories to shedding tears during emotional moments—such as her coverage of Drew Brees’ COVID-19 donation to New Orleans—Kotb has left an indelible mark on her audience. “I’m a worker. I’m a grinder,” she told Forbes. “I’m not the most talented. I’m not top of my class. But I’m a grinder, and the one thing I think I do really well is, I get up. I’ll fall a thousand times, but I get up.”
As Kotb prepares for her next chapter, here’s a look back at her incredible journey, her legacy, and how her hard work has paid off.
Hoda Kotb Announces Departure from Today in 2025
Hoda Kotb, one of daytime television’s most cherished personalities, has announced she will step down from her role on NBC’s Today sometime in 2025. The announcement, made on September 26, 2024, marks the end of an era for the beloved anchor, known for her heartfelt approach to delivering the news.
From sharing personal stories to shedding tears during emotional moments—such as her coverage of Drew Brees’ COVID-19 donation to New Orleans—Kotb has left an indelible mark on her audience. “I’m a worker. I’m a grinder,” she told Forbes. “I’m not the most talented. I’m not top of my class. But I’m a grinder, and the one thing I think I do really well is, I get up. I’ll fall a thousand times, but I get up.”
As Kotb prepares for her next chapter, here’s a look back at her incredible journey, her legacy, and how her hard work has paid off.
How Hoda Kotb Rose to Fame
Hoda Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma, and grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. During her high school years, she was elected homecoming queen, a fitting preview of her ability to win hearts wherever she goes.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Virginia Tech in 1986, Kotb landed her first job at a CBS affiliate in Greenville, Mississippi. She then worked at various affiliate networks, including an ABC affiliate in New Orleans, before joining NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline NBC.
Her career skyrocketed in 2007 when she began hosting the fourth hour of Today. Kotb’s warmth and humor turned her into an audience favorite, especially when Kathie Lee Gifford joined her in 2008. Their playful dynamic—complete with the now-famous “Wine Wednesday” segments—made them cultural icons.
In 2018, Kotb stepped into a more prominent role as co-anchor of Today alongside Savannah Guthrie following Matt Lauer’s departure amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Reflecting on her journey, Kotb shared her gratitude for achieving her dreams later in life:
“I heard the saying, ‘It gets greater later,’ and it does. It gets greater in every single aspect of life,” she told Forbes in 2022. “If someone told me, ‘When you’re in your mid-50s, you’ll be a mom of two and host the Today show,’ I would’ve said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ Now I sit in the middle of this, and I can’t believe how blessed I feel.”
Hoda Kotb’s Net Worth in 2025
Hoda Kotb’s hard work has paid off handsomely. Her net worth in 2025 is estimated to be $30 million. While her Today hosting role accounts for a significant portion of her wealth, Kotb has also built a lucrative career as an author, with six bestselling books to her name. She is a former Dateline NBC correspondent and hosted her own SiriusXM radio show for five years. Even as she prepares to leave Today, Kotb is expected to pursue other rewarding opportunities.
Hoda Kotb’s Salary: A Look at Pay Disparities
Kotb began earning $7 million annually when she took over as Today co-anchor in 2018. While this is an enviable salary by any measure, it pales compared to her predecessor, Matt Lauer, who earned $25 million annually before his departure. Similarly, Kotb earned less than Megyn Kelly, whose contract guaranteed her $20 million annually before she was dismissed in 2018.
Despite the pay disparities, insiders say Kotb isn’t driven by money. “Hoda isn’t complaining about the money. She has landed the big job she always dreamed of and most definitely deserves,” a source told Page Six. “If things go well, she could negotiate for more in her next contract.”
Regardless of the numbers, Kotb’s legacy is about more than her paycheck—it’s her authenticity, resilience, and the deep connection she’s built with her audience. As she steps away from her anchor desk, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see where her journey takes her next.
Why is Hoda Kotb leaving ‘Today’?
Kotb has been with the show for more than 17 years, and has become a part of American cultural life alongside main co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. She announced her decision to depart from the show in August 2024, and has spent the past five months in a sort of transitional period.
“I just turned 60 and it was such a monumental moment for me, when I turned 60 years old, because I started thinking about that decade – like what does that decade mean, what does it hold, what’s it going to have for me – and I realize that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new,” Kotb shared on-air with her co-anchors and viewers.
Who is replacing Hoda Kotb?
Craig Melvin will be replacing Kotb as the co-anchor of “Today” alongside Guthrie, starting on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
