Hoda Kotb has revealed her tips for the lucky reporter who fills her seat on the Today show following her upcoming departure.
Kotb, 60, will be exiting the show following 26 years with NBC News next year and announced her exit live on-air last month.
During an interview with People, she advised whoever ends up replacing her be ‘1000%’ themselves on-air.
Kotb, who co-hosts the fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager and co-anchors Today with Savannah Guthrie, also recommended her future replacement give their colleague the opportunity to ‘shine.’
‘Whoever’s interested in that seat, and it’s maybe the best seat in television, I think the best advice I have is to be 1,000% who you are, because that’s really the key,’ she said.
Hoda Kotb has revealed her tips for the lucky reporter who fills her seat on the Today show following her upcoming departure
‘And the other thing, too, is sometimes to me, part of the magic is to be able to delight in the person sitting next to you. It’s such a small thing, but sometimes when you’re with someone, if you just let them shine. Give everyone a second, because who wants to be the person at the cocktail party who’s talking all the time?’
Kotb announced last month that she will be leaving Today early next year.
The long-time anchor, who first joined Dateline NBC in 1998 before ultimately landing her current role as co-anchor, shared the surprising update in a heartfelt message to her ‘Today family’ live on air.
Hoda, who has been part of NBC News for 26 years, was immediately moved to tears as she explained to her fellow co-hosts turning 60 had been a ‘monumental moment’ that made her decide it was time to ‘try something new’.
The TV icon – who reportedly earns around $8 million a year – also wrote a letter explaining her ‘painful’ decision to her colleagues, explaining further that marking her 60th birthday sparked a seismic ‘shift’ in her life.
‘As I write this, my heart is all over the map,’ Hoda said. ‘I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.
‘My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you’ve been beside me on this twenty-six-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour.’
She continued: ‘I’m picturing your faces and your families and all the ways you’ve lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships.’
She went on to pay a heart breaking tribute to her ‘ride-or-die’ Jenna Bush Hager and claimed she will ‘desperately’ miss everyone she has worked with on the popular morning show.
Hoda, pictured late last month, has been with NBC News for 26 years
During an interview with People, she advised whoever ends up replacing her be ‘1000%’ themselves on-air
‘Savannah: my rock,’ she continued. ‘Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you at TODAY desperately.’
The TV star added that she has been thinking long and hard about the decision as she continued: ‘I’ve been weighing this decision for quite a while – Am I truly ready? But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift.
‘Like a massive, joyful YES, you are! I saw it all so clearly: 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.
‘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. 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.’
She concluded: ‘Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.’
Kotb announced last month that she will be leaving the show early next year
During her emotional announcement on the show, the star sobbed alongside her co-anchors
During her emotional announcement, the star sat holding hands with her co-anchors as she explained how a key part of her decision was down to her young daughters, seven-year-old Haley and five-year-old Hope.
She stated: ‘I had my kiddos late in life and I think that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie, we only have an infinite amount of time.’