Hoda Kotb has touched countless lives across the world, but there’s one group of people who have been especially impacted by her: the TODAY team.
After nearly three decades with NBC, Hoda stepped away from her roles as co-anchor of TODAY and co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna.
On her last day, Jan. 10, Hoda took to Instagram amid the day’s surprise-filled “Hoda-bration” to say goodbye and thank special people along the way.
She shared a quote often attributed to “Winnie-the-Pooh” author A. A. Milne that reads, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,” with the caption, “Happy friday xo.” She also gave special shoutouts to TODAY photographer Nathan Congleton and TODAY executive producer Tom Mazzarelli.
Similarly, her friends and colleagues at TODAY took a moment to bid her farewell and wish her the best as she goes on her “repotting” journey.
On Friday’s special edition of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, co-host Jenna Bush Hager read her longtime desk partner an emotional letter.
“Five years …. more than 1,500 shows … 90,000 hours … 9,000 commercial breaks filled with Shaboozey, Beyoncé and constant laughter and soul-affirming conversations. From Vegas to NOLA (three times!) from Austin to Quebec … to our home — this home Studio 1A which will always be ours. Mine and yours,” she began.
Jenna recalled hosting together while separately quarantined through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as through two maternity leaves — one for Jenna’s son, Hal, and another for Hoda’s daughter Hope.
“Hope, what word … a feeling you’ve given so many … hope to live their purpose, to whisper their dreams (even if just to themselves!) to create their own families,” Jenna said.
She continued, “Hoda, you have been a teacher. You have taught me to find the joy in the small: the stupid lemon hack that doesn’t work! The hilarity of answering the social D’s for Jo and Tom and Sally.
“And now, my dearest — you are teaching us the most important lesson of all — how to say goodbye with grace,” Jenna added, thanking her for “all the hugs, all the heart all the laughs, all the love.”
Hoda and her TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie have been sharing sweet moments all week, reminiscing on the past seven years.
On her last day, Savannah gave Hoda a bracelet that says, “With you” in cursive on it, as well as a ring that says, “Love.”
In a filmed tribute that aired on the show Friday, Savannah said Hoda “reaches across with her eyes and her heart. People see someone who cares. She loves people. She’s the ultimate people person.”
“Hoda, I love you deeply. Whether you’re sitting next to me or not. Whether we’re waking up at 4 o’clock in the morning together or not, I will always be by your side, and you will always be by mine,” she added.
Savannah also shared to Instagram a video compilation filled with photos of the two of them since they began anchoring TODAY together in 2018. The clip was set to Coldplay’s “All My Love.”
Savannah also shared a picture of herself donning a purple Hoda-inspired beanie hat, while carrying a purple pom pom.
She captioned the post, “all the feels today: love and gratitude for @hodakotb and a bittersweet goodbye.”
Savannah then referenced Craig Melvin taking over as TODAY co-anchor starting Jan. 13, writing, “Love and gratitude for @craigmelvinnbc and the sweetest of LET’S GOOOOO! @todayshow.”
As Craig prepares to step into Hoda’s shoes as TODAY co-anchor, he sent some love to his “colleague and close friend.”
In an Instagram post Friday, Craig shared a carousel of photos with Hoda, including shots of them laughing, smiling in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and wishing her farewell on her last day.
“Hoda is the definition of compassion, love, and has been the heartbeat of @todayshow,” he captioned the post. “I am so grateful to have you as a colleague and a close friend. Cheers to you. It’s not goodbye. It’s a see you later. I love you. Thank you.”
In the filmed tribute to Hoda on the show, Craig said, “Hoda doesn’t do interviews. She has conversations. She’s not looking at your eyes. She’s peering into your soul.”
“Thank you for being a cheerleader and champion for years,” he signed off.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, TODAY’s Al Roker shared a beautiful video tribute to Hoda, which included throwback images from their past 20 years of friendship.
“I have known @hodakotb for more than 20 years and she has the biggest heart and leads with it every day. And that’s what guides her. Love you, my friend. Can’t wait to hear what this coming Monday is like,” Al wrote, thanking TODAY photographer Nathan Congleton for capturing “terrific” shots of them over the years.
In his message to Hoda in the show’s tribute, Al said, “I am going to miss you coming out of the dressing room every single morning. But you know what? You, Hope and Haley get to come out of your rooms and see each other every morning. And so, how can I be sad?”
Carson Daly celebrated Hoda and reminisced on their years together in a sweet Instagram post Friday.
“Hoda-brate good times, COME ON! Well, that was some send off week @todayshow,” he wrote. “20 bucks it continues on @nbcnightlynews tonight!”
Carson continued, “We’ll miss you @hodakotb on Monday & beyond but are pumped for your next chapter & quality mom time.
He then called on Craig to get ready for his big co-anchor debut, writing, “You’re on deck @craigmelvinnbc Big heels to fill, but I know you’ve had practice,” with a crying-laughing emoji.
TODAY meteorologist Dylan Dreyer called Hoda a “bright light” in a heartfelt Instagram post Friday.
“Hoda…thank you for being such a bright light in my life! You mean so much to me and my family,” Dylan wrote.
The Instagram post included shots of Dylan and Hoda sharing laughs and spending time with both their personal families and the TODAY family.
