After celebrating her 60th birthday, Hoda Kotb realized it was time for a change.
She made the decision to embrace a slower pace of life for her family, leaving behind her busy routine in New York City.
But what prompted this change, and how is she adjusting to her new life?
Hoda Kotb turned 60 in August.
About a month later, she shared an emotional moment on “Today,” reflecting on how her milestone birthday made her reconsider how she wanted to spend her time.
Known for her positive energy and dedication to her work, Hoda is now shifting her focus to something more personal and meaningful. But this wasn’t an easy decision. A Tearful Goodbye to ‘Today’ For years, Kotb has been a beloved presence on morning television, but in September 2024, she announced she would be leaving the show early next year. Looking back on her accomplishments, she tearfully told “Today” viewers it was time to move forward.
“I realized it was time to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” Kotb tearfully said on the September 26 episode of “Today.” The mother of two shared that her decision was driven by her desire to spend more time with her daughters, adding, “I feel like we have only a limited amount of time.”
Kotb felt her daughters deserved a bigger portion of her “time pie.” However, her birthday wasn’t the only factor. Her wish to spend more time with her two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, played a major role.
“Obviously, I had my kids later in life, and I thought they deserved more of my time,” she admitted. Although it was a difficult decision, Kotb felt it was time to prioritize her family and make the most of the years ahead.
The Move to the Suburbs — A Fresh Start
Before officially announcing her departure from the “Today” show, Kotb had already begun making changes. She decided to leave the busy streets of Manhattan and move to a quiet suburb.
This decision wasn’t easy. Kotb admitted that staying in the city would have been more convenient, but she was drawn to a smaller town. “I found this little town that had everything I wanted — a place that could teach my kids independence,” she shared.
The move wasn’t just about changing locations — it was about creating a home where Haley and Hope could feel secure, loved, and excited. Kotb wanted to build a nurturing environment for her two daughters.
“I want our home to feel warm and cozy for the kids, a place where they want to hang out,” she explained. As Kotb prepared for the transition, she came up with the term “repotting.”
It was the place where she first brought her daughters home, and it holds many memories from their early days. Kotb shared how difficult it was to say goodbye to the apartment filled with memories of her girls — from watching them crawl up the stairs to seeing them run down as they grew older.
“It’s like you want to hold onto things, but you also need to let go,” she said, her voice emotional. Leaving behind those memories was bittersweet, but Kotb knew this change was necessary for her and her daughters.
