While attending the Super Bowl LIX in her beloved city of New Orleans, Hoda Kotb reflected on life as a retiree after stepping away from her Today Show duties in January.

Hoda Kotb Shares Touching Moment With Her Daughter That “Confirmed” Her Decision To Retire: “Everything Seemed Right”

Kotb’s decision to retire may have come as a shock to many, but she revealed in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight how she knew she had made the “right” decision.

“I woke up on the very first day after I made my final decision, on that Monday at 4:15, and I have to tell you, everything seemed right,” Kotb said. “My little girl ran downstairs and she looked at me and she goes, ‘You are here!’ And I go, ‘Yes I’m here!’ So, right decision confirmed.”

The NBC legend then went on to praise her former colleagues, Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, whom she said are “crushing it” on the early hours of Today.

As for the fourth hour of Today that Kotb co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager, Today With Hoda & Jenna has temporarily rebranded to Today With Jenna & Friends while Kotb’s former co-host continues her search for her permanent replacement.

Kotb shared some kind words about this new phase of the show, but she did not weigh in on who may replace her.

“Jenna and all of her friends, I don’t even know what friend I like better, but I’m enjoying watching them!” she commented.
Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush HagerPhoto: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal
Kotb may not want to play favorites, but Bush Hager once revealed on the broadcast that Kotb had admitted she felt “kind of jealous” after watching Scarlett Johansson guest host the show for a week in January.

“You know, when I saw Hoda last night I actually said to her, ‘You left me, you broke my heart, so I had to date one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. And we fell in love,’” Bush Hager recounted to Johansson. “And [Kotb] was like, ‘I know, I’m kind of jealous about it.’”

As for Kotb’s plans for retirement, the former NBC anchor has announced that she plans on working in the wellness space after leaving The Today Show. But reports also note she is expected to stick around NBC for a while longer, making “around 10” appearances on Today a year to report on “positive stories that she’s interested in, like female empowerment.”

She is also expected to stay on as a correspondent for 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Recent reports also note Kotb will likely “earn way more” than she did at the Today show by taking opportunities outside of the network.