*Hoda Kotb is stepping down from her role as anchor of the Today show after 17 years with the NBC morning show.
“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” she wrote in a letter to staff, shared Thursday, Sept. 26, PEOPLE reports.
“I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why,” she added. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
Kotb explained that her decision to leave the show was to spend more time with her family.
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“My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she wrote. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”
Kotb has co-anchored Today alongside Savannah Guthrie since 2018, following her time hosting the fourth hour of the morning news show with Kathie Lee Gifford and later Jenna Bush Hager. She will continue to be part of the NBC program until early 2025 and will remain involved in some capacity after the new year.
“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she”I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine,” Kotb said.
Through tears on Thursday’s broadcast, Kotb announced her departure while surrounded by her cohosts, including Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, and Al Roker.
“Hoda, we love you so much, and when you look around and see these tears, they’re love, as you are so loved. Honestly, I don’t think any of us can imagine — we don’t want to imagine — this place without you. It’s complicated because we love you so much and we don’t want you to ever go, but also I just want to say I am so proud of my friend,” Guthrie said.
“You have guts. For someone to leave at the top of their game, to leave something that’s wonderful, that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and safe, [to say] ‘But I dream even bigger for myself in the great unknown.’ You have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you, and it’s not over. I’m going to be showing up to your house,” she continued.
Watch Hoda’s announcement via the YouTube clip above.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: ‘Today’ Co-host Hoda Kotb is ‘Negotiating a Contract Extension’
