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23 hours ago
1 Was there more to the story behind Hoda Kotb quitting Today???
On Thursday morning, viewers were left stunned and devastated when the 60-year-old broadcast journalist announced she was leaving the morning show at the beginning of next year after 17 years. Watch the announcement (below):
Hoda primarily cited a desire to spend more time with her two young daughters, 7-year-old Haley and 5-year-old Hope. That is fair! No one can blame her for wanting to be with her kiddos! However, they were not the only factor in her decision to say goodbye to Today. Her former host, Kathie Lee Gifford, also played a big part in it! A source explained to Dailymail.com on Thursday that Hoda saw “how rich a life” the 71-year-old talk show host has had since retiring and wants that for herself now:
“Yes, it’s about her girls and being able to walk them to school but also, she’s seen how rich a life Kathie Lee Gifford has lived since quitting – she’s had a boyfriend, written a play, books, music, she even wrote and starred in a movie. Kathie Lee is happier than ever before.”
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As you may recall, Kathie and Hoda hosted Today’s fourth hour together from 2008 to 2019. When the Good Morning America alum left the show, she was replaced by Jenna Bush Hager. While Hoda and Jenna are good friends, a second insider said Today never felt “the same” with Kathie gone:
“It was never really the same after Kathie Lee left – they had the best chemistry together on the show. Hoda adores Jenna of course, but the reality is Jenna is not a seasoned veteran like Hoda is. Jenna has had some unfortunate on-air blunders and had to issue apologies to their celebrity guests. Hoda held her hand through all of that, and would constantly reassure her, and they have become close, almost like a mom and daughter duo at work. Jenna has looked up to Hoda like a mentor.”
We guess Hoda got a little tired of that dynamic… The source continued:
“Hoda and Kathie are lifelong friends, and the show just hasn’t been the same without them falling about laughing together while drinking white wine on the show – it was a riot. Hoda has loved taking Jenna under her wing, but it’s been a different dynamic with them.”
Oof. But beyond the lack of Kathie, Hoda really wants to be with her girls. A third source noted the television personality recognized her job took her away from her daughters. When Hope ended up in the intensive care unit due to an undisclosed medical issue last year, she just knew she had to focus on them instead of the show:
“Nothing in the universe is, or ever will be, more important to Hoda than her role as a mother. Last year work meant she was absent for periods of time and she refuses to let these girls grow up in the care of anyone but herself. With Hope’s health issues, Hoda cannot take a backseat to parenting any longer, Hoda has gotten everything she has ever wanted and more out of this job.”
And she certainly has had an amazing career throughout her 26 years at NBC! However, she now feels it is time for her to go. Ultimately, the source said that “there is no amount of money in the world that NBC could have offered to make her change her mind,” adding:
“Everyone fully understands and is supportive.”
Hoda surely will be missed by viewers and her colleagues. Reactions, Perezcious readers? Were you surprised by Hoda’s announcement? Let us know in the comments!
[Image via TODAY/TODAY with Hoda & Jenna/YouTube]
