Savannah Guthrie is emotional about Hoda Kotb’s exit from Today but has every intention to keep the ball rolling. In an exclusive interview with People at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala on October 10, the 52-year-old broadcaster opened up about preparing for the transition. “I’ll hold it down,” she said. “I got my Carson [Daly] and Craig [Melvin]. The whole crew.” She proceeded to share her initial reaction to Hoda’s news.
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Savannah was shocked to hear that Hoda was leaving.
“Well, I would say I was shocked but not surprised because she and I have had many, many conversations about life and what does it mean in our hopes and our dreams, and I knew that 60 was a big moment and where she’s thinking a lot about just how she wants to spend the rest of her day,” Savannah revealed. “So I wasn’t surprised.”
She's ultimately happy for Hoda.
“But then when it happened, of course I was happy for her because I think it’s so courageous and bold and amazing and this mode of confidence in herself and her bright future that she’s writing, and she’s writing it,” Savannah continued. “It’s not like she knows, ‘Oh I’m going to this job. I’m going.’ She doesn’t know, but she knows what she can do and I love that and I’m inspired by that. And of course I’m also sad because I love her so much and if I had it my way, we’d be together forever.”
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Hoda has been with the show for 17 years.
Hoda made the emotional announcement in September 2024 in a letter to NBC. “My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, 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. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”
She has been with the Today morning show for 17 years and with NBC for 26 years.
Her children played a large role in her decision.
“I’ve had yearnings, and you know when something’s pulling you? It’s like you either go toward it or you shove it down and say, ‘Nope, this is the way. I’m going to stay here because it’s safe,’” Hoda said in an interview with People. “It does make more sense to stay at NBC. I’m financially secure and I would have job security. I mean, why would you ever not do that? But I’ve been watching my kids and I was thinking to myself, I wonder what I’m missing?”
She's not leaving the show until 2025.
Hoda won’t be leaving the show until next year.
“Because I’ll be working through the beginning of 2025, there’s plenty of time to talk about what’s ahead for all of us,” she wrote in her letter. “But one thing I know for sure right now is this: everything’s going to be just fine. The Peacock’s feathers are never ruffled … no matter who comes or goes. Today and its amazing people — all of you — never waver. You always weather change with grace and guts.”
