During a 92nd Street Y interview, Kotb hinted at her Muslim roots when she recounted her memories of annual summer vacations in Egypt and her veiled cousins and how her parents' migration to the United States had spared her from having to do the same:
We met our cousins who looked just like us. Some of them had the head cover on. I still remember going, 'Oh, my God. Like that could have been me.' You don't realize the gift your parents give you when you leave.[10]
Kotb similarly indirectly spoke about her family's Muslim background in her autobiography when she described attempts at match-making by her relatives in Egypt:
During my visit, I'd be sitting on the couch and there'd come a knock-knock at the door. 'Hoda, someone's at the door for yooooouuuu ... ' Oh, Lord. 'This is Mohamed. He's from Cairo. He's studying engineering ... and he has a Mercedes.' Really? He also has on a long white man dress. Okay, call it a dishdash.[11]
Hoda Kotb, Monica Groves and Shayla Harris accepting the award for "Dateline NBC: The Education of Ms. Groves" at the 66th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon
Kotb officially joined NBC News in April 1998[22] as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and all NBC News platforms.[20]
She was the first host of Today's first fourth-hour weekday morning broadcast at 10:00 a.m. in September 2007[22] and was joined by Kathie Lee Gifford as a co-host in April 2008.[23] Gifford was later succeeded by Jenna Bush Hager in April 2019, following Gifford's departure from the show.[24]
On February 23, 2015, Kotb began hosting a live, one-hour show twice a week on Sirius XM's Today channel, discussing casual water cooler topics.[25]
On January 2, 2018, Kotb was named co-anchor of Today with Savannah Guthrie after anchor Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC News following accusations of sexual misconduct.[26] She and Guthrie had been interim co-anchors since Lauer's termination on November 29, 2017.[26] They make up the first female anchor duo to lead the show.
On September 26, 2024, Kotb announced that she was stepping down as co-anchor of Today in early 2025; she indicated she would continue with NBC in an unspecified role.[27] Her last day will be January 10, 2025.[28]
Books
In October 2010, Kotb released a New York Times bestselling[29] autobiography, Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.[30]
On January 15, 2013, she released her second book, Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives, in which she chronicles six stories by identifying a life-changing event in each subject's life and then revisiting each of those six people a decade later.[31]
In 2016, Kotb released her third book, Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made, which features a selection of various stories of inspiring people who "found themselves" in completely unexpected moments or unforeseen circumstances.[32]
In October 2019, Kotb released her sixth book, I Really Needed This Today, which includes personal notes about her experiences and relationships, an assortment of quotes, and 365 sayings that she hopes inspires and uplifts readers.[33] She released a follow-up in October 2020 titled This Just Speaks to Me, which expands on her daily reflections and includes additional personal anecdotes and quotes.[34]
Kotb has also released her own children's books. The first one, her fourth book overall, I've Loved You Since Forever, was released in 2018, and was adapted into a lullaby by Kelly Clarkson.[35] Her second children's book, her fifth book overall, You Are My Happy, which celebrates the things in life that bring gratitude, was released in March 2019.[36]
In 2015, she won a Webby Award for Online Film & Video – Public Service & Activism for her music video, "Truly Brave",[20][41] which she created in collaboration with Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.[42] That same year, she received an additional Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in News/Non-fiction in 2015.[20]
In 2016, Kotb was awarded with a Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in Entertainment/Information for her SiriusXM show.[20]
Kotb was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2018.[43]
In 2019, Kotb and Gifford were awarded a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host during their time as co-hosts.[44]
Kotb began a relationship with New York financier Joel Schiffman in 2013.[48] On February 21, 2017, Kotb announced on Today that she had adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy Kotb.[49] On April 16, 2019, Kotb came on Today via phone to announce she had adopted a second baby girl named Hope Catherine Kotb.[50] On November 25, 2019, Kotb announced live on Today that she was engaged to Schiffman.[51] On January 31, 2022, Kotb announced during the fourth hour of Today (Hoda & Jenna) that she and Schiffman had ended their engagement and would focus on co-parenting as friends.[52]
Health problems
In March 2007, Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer and has since become an advocate for breast cancer awareness.[53] Kotb allowed Today cameras to follow her throughout her cancer battle.[54] She was declared cancer-free and continued to document and use the story on the show to raise awareness for breast cancer.[55]
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