Hoda Kotb emotionally bid farewell to the Today show on Thursday, September 26, leaving many viewers in tears. The 60-year-old television personality reflected on her recent milestone birthday, which prompted her to consider significant changes in her life. During her heartfelt announcement, Hoda shared, “I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new.”
Throughout her tenure on the show, Hoda has faced remarkable and challenging moments, including her courageous disclosure in 2007 about her breast cancer diagnosis. “I wasn’t going to say anything about it and I wanted to forget about it, but someone encouraged me to say something,” she confessed.
These profound experiences have profoundly impacted her life, and Hoda has always been open about her health journey. Recently, she reflected on her battle with cancer, noting that it forced her to confront the loss of a cherished dream: motherhood. On the Today show, she revealed, “This thing not only put limits on my life but killed a dream. It didn’t kill me right then, but it killed a dream.”
Hoda expressed a sense of clarity that comes from navigating such a serious health battle. “I feel like anyone who’s ever gone through that cancer trip or journey, your life does snap into focus. It’s sort of like, ‘Boom!’ And you’re like, ‘Ok, what am I doing right now?’”
So, how is Hoda doing today? As she shared previously, the mother of two is now cancer-free following her mastectomy, which has given her a new lease on life.
As for her departure from the Today show, Hoda explained that turning 60 in August was a pivotal moment for her to reassess her career and priorities. “A new decade of my life lies ahead, and now, my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she remarked.