Status Overview
As of 2025, Hoda Kotb is not retired; she remains an NBC News and TODAY anchor, though she has repeatedly stated she plans to reduce hours and eventually leave the spotlight. In September 2024, she announced she would step back from the fourth hour of TODAY to focus on health and family, and in May 2025 she confirmed she would reduce her broadcast schedule while continuing to host special events. This piece clarifies rumors, distinguishes reduced activity from retirement, and provides her current role context.
Key Announcements and Public Statements
September 2024: Reduced TODAY Schedule
In September 2024, Kotb told TODAY viewers she would no longer host the 10:00 a.m. hour, explaining that prioritizing her health and personal life was necessary. She emphasized she was not retiring and intended to remain active in hosting and special projects. Her announcement was framed as a deliberate shift, not an exit, underscoring an intentional plan to scale back rather than leave the network.
May 2025: Further Schedule Changes
In May 2025, Kotb reiterated that she would cut back on days while continuing to appear on TODAY for major events and curated segments. Multiple sources close to her NBC News role confirmed she remains employed and engaged, with no formal retirement date set. The network has supported her phased reduction, reflecting a structured transition approach.
Clarifying Rumors Versus Facts
Rumors that Hoda Kotb has retired stem from occasional absences and the high-profile nature of her earlier health-related leave in 2022. Factually, she has returned from medical leave and maintained her role, only reducing—not eliminating—her workload. The distinction between reduced schedule and retirement is critical: she remains a TODAY anchor, though with fewer regular segments and a focus on priority broadcasts.
| Announcement or Period | What Was Stated or Observed | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Stepped back from fourth hour of TODAY; no retirement planned | NBC Today Show statement |
| May 2025 | Reduced broadcast days; continued hosting select segments | NBC News source and public statement |
| 2022 | Medical leave for health reasons; returned to hosting | NBC News official notice |
Her Role at NBC News and the TODAY Show
Hoda Kotb serves as a co-anchor on NBC’s TODAY, known for empathetic storytelling, cultural interviews, and hosting live special coverage. She anchors key moments such as election results, holiday broadcasts, and commemorative programming. Though scaling back, she remains central to NBC’s daytime lineup, anchoring milestone episodes and curated features that leverage her strengths in human-interest storytelling and audience connection.
Core Responsibilities
- Anchoring TODAY’s key live segments and special broadcasts
- Conducting high-profile interviews and curated features
- Representing NBC News at major public events and commemorations
- Mentoring emerging on-air talent and contributing to editorial planning
On-Air Presence and Special Projects
Kotb continues to host curated TODAY segments and signature interviews, maintaining her reputation for warmth and journalistic rigor. She has also taken on limited documentary and public-interest projects, demonstrating sustained engagement beyond the daily TODAY cycle. Her presence remains visible during high-profile news cycles and network specials.
Career Background and Milestones
Kotb joined NBC News in 2003, became a TODAY co-anchor in 2007, and has since earned multiple Emmy Awards for her reporting and hosting. Her memoir, "Where You Are Is Not Who You Are," published in 2019, reflects on career and personal challenges. These milestones frame her enduring influence and explain why her reduced role draws attention, even as her broader impact on broadcast journalism remains significant.
| Date or Period | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Joined NBC News | Entry into national broadcasting |
| 2007 | Became TODAY co-anchor | Established long-form morning show role |
| 2014–2022 | Multiple Emmy Awards for reporting and hosting | Recognition of journalistic and on-air excellence |
| 2019 | Published memoir | Public reflection on personal and professional journey |
| 2022 | Medical leave and return | Public discussion of health and resilience |
| 2024–2025 | Reduced TODAY schedule; remains active | Shift to part-time role while retaining key responsibilities |
Impact on Viewers and the Network
Viewers accustomed to seeing Hoda Kotb daily may notice fewer regular appearances, yet her curated segments continue to offer the empathetic, in-depth coverage that defines her style. For NBC, her phased reduction balances talent retention with modern work expectations, signaling a thoughtful approach to long-term anchor succession. The network has preserved her unique strengths while allowing flexibility that can sustain legacy and productivity.
Outlook and What to Watch
Going forward, expect Hoda Kotb to appear selectively on TODAY for major live events, curated interviews, and milestone episodes, rather than a full daily presence. No official retirement date has been set, and she has not publicly committed to a firm endpoint. Monitoring NBC announcements and her infrequent public comments will provide clarity on her evolving role and any eventual transition plans.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Reduced Schedule (2024–2025) | Full-Time Role (Pre-2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Days | Fewer regular days; occasional fills | Regular daily presence |
| Primary Focus | Select live events and curated segments | Broad daily coverage and interviews |
| Employment Status | Active NBC News anchor | Active NBC News anchor |
| Retirement Plans | None set; phased reduction ongoing | Not applicable at that time |