‘Today’ Hoda Kotb Delivers Tearful & Bittersweet Goodbye

the Today Show co-anchor, Hoda Kotb spent her last day on-today-final-week/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>celebrating the finale of the week-long appreciation, “Hoda-Bration.” However, there were many tears shed as she faced her exit from the show. In the end, she delivers a tearful and bittersweet goodbye to her co-hosts.

Hoda Kotb’s Eyes Filled with Tears

Undoubtedly, there weren’t many dry eyes at the “Hoda-Bration” as The Today Show host, Hoda Kotb said her final goodbye. When Jenna Bush Hager gave her farewell, both ladies couldn’t contain their tears. Unmistakably, Hoda has made a huge impact on her Today family. But the celebration was a great showcase of famous visitors sending Hoda off. However, when Hoda shared her sentiments about her co-workers, it was painful but laced with hope.

Hoda Kotb Delivers A Tearful And Bittersweet Goodbye

Notably, after 17 years with her Today family, Hoda Kotb knew nothing she said would be enough. However, she attempted to convey her respect and appreciation one by one with her co-workers. As tears flowed freely, Hoda said, “I’m not even able to articulate it because I’m a mess most of the time, but I just want to say thanks.” They had played a tribute video, and she was fighting through the emotions welling up inside. Hoda let Carson Daly know, “Carson, you’re like the secret sauce on this show, man. Without you, the show doesn’t hum. Like, you have the thing and you brought it. You bring it every day.”

Then, Hoda directs her attention to Al Roker. She says, “Al, you’re my first friend here, the first person I met.” Continuing, “When I got sick, you were the first person that walked into the room and said I was going to be okay.” Furthermore, Hoda moved through bidding her co-workers farewell.

‘My Person’

Breathing through the difficult moment, Hoda Kotb addresses Savannah Guthrie who she fondly refers to as “my person.” In a heartfelt expression, Hoda says, “Who shows up for everybody? This girl.” Then, she adds, “When your brother died, it was this girl. When I was going through stuff with Hope, it was this girl. She’s in the room. She’s always in the room and I love you.” Unmistakably, they have been by each other’s sides through thick and thin. Both talked about how much they would miss one another. Savannah even wanted to resist saying goodbye with the wish Hoda would stay.

Hoda Kotb Encourages Successor

But Hoda Kotb graciously extends congratulations and cheers on her successor, Craig Melvin, as he is on deck to take on her duties. Genuinely, she says, “Craig, I mean, I’m so happy for you.” Then, she adds, “You earned this. You own this.” But she couldn’t help but add a little humor into the mix, “And come Monday at 7:00 a.m., I’m going to be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic.” Furthermore, she supports his career move, “You’re going to bring it home! Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are going to be magic.”

Some of the special guests who wished Hoda Kotb well on her new journey were Maria Shriver, Blake Shelton, Oprah Winfrey, Kermit the Frog, and Simone Biles. Sweetly, Kermit sang “Rainbow Connection” and even added, “Hoda, you truly do make every day as beautiful as a rainbow.”

Final Thanks

Additionally, The Today Show co-anchor, Hoda Kotb’s sentiments wouldn’t have been complete without a shoutout to the people who attended “Hoda-bration.” Hoda expressed deep gratitude. She said, “can I just say thank you real quick?” Hoda adds, “Can I just say thank you to every person who came out here? I read your cards. I got your bracelets I got the scarves you crocheted.” Then, she continues with overwhelming appreciation, “I read the texts. I got everything. So I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming out, for being here, and for everything you did.”

Hoda Kotb Looks Forward To Returning

Although for Today, it was Hoda Kotb’s last day in her current position, she promised not to be a stranger. In the days leading up to her exit, she gave a sneak peek of life after co-anchoring. She said she’ll return, but in a different capacity. She explains, “It’ll involve doing some specials, doing the podcast, and doing maybe the Olympics, stuff like that.” Notably, it will free her up to be a more devoted mom. She adds, “It’ll be like those kinds of things. So it’ll be specials and all those things. And I think every month or so, I’ll come back on the Today show and do a little something in this space, which I think will be fun.”

At this point, she knows her daughters, Hope and Haley deserve a larger part of her time. She said, “There’s the guilt you carry because you can’t be 100% at work and 100% at home. Something has to give if you want excellence. If you’re going to be excellent at work, something has to give at home. And if you want to be excellent at home, I mean excellent and do all the things, something has to give at work. It can’t be equal.”

Are you sad to see Hoda Kotb wrap up her daily career on The Today Show? Are happy she will return for certain projects? Drop your comments below.