Where Is Hoda Kotb Now? Inside Her Inspiring Next Chapter

Hoda Kotb stepped away from the Today show anchor desk, but she did not step out of the public eye. She walked into a new life focused on family, wellness, and building something of her own. Her choice to leave a legacy-defining role shocked millions, yet those who know her story understand it perfectly. This is not a retirement; it is a powerful pivot rooted in prioritizing what matters most. Her path from broadcast journalist to author and wellness advocate is a lesson in fearless personal growth.

The Power Move: Why Hoda Kotb Left the Today Show

Leaving a morning television throne seemed unthinkable to many. Hoda Kotb made the decision with absolute clarity. She often said on air that turning sixty sharpened her focus on time. That time belongs to her two young daughters, Haley and Hope.

The rigorous 3:00 AM alarm clock dominated her life for over a decade. Broadcasting for four hours daily, plus constant preparation, took a physical toll. She chose to swap the fluorescent studio lights for the morning sun with her children. The decision wasn’t born from fear of ratings declines; it came from a deep desire to be present. She wanted to do the school drop-offs, heal alongside her younger daughter during a medical crisis, and build a life outside of Rockefeller Center. It marks a masterclass in letting go of prestige to grab hold of joy.

Hoda Kotb Net Worth and Salary: The Financial Freedom

Walking away from a massive paycheck requires substantial financial security. Hoda Kotb’s net worth stands at an estimated $40 million. Her final *Today* show salary reportedly peaked around $10 million annually. This nest egg did not fall from the sky; she constructed it brick by brick over decades.

• Early Broadcasting: She earned modest salaries in local Mississippi and Florida newsrooms.
• Dateline NBC: Her rise as a correspondent brought higher earnings and national recognition.
• The Fourth Hour: The organic chemistry with Kathie Lee Gifford and later Jenna Bush Hager turned the 10:00 AM hour into a cash cow, with multiple contract renewals multiplying her Hoda Kotb salary significantly.
• Bestselling Books: Income from titles like I Really Needed This Today adds substantial passive revenue.

This financial independence granted her the power to choose purpose over a paycheque.

Is Hoda Kotb Married? Understanding Her Relationship Status

The question “Is Hoda Kotb married?” still circulates widely. The answer is no. The more pointed question, “Did Hoda Kotb get married?” also yields a definite no—not recently, and not to her former partner.

She was previously married to tennis coach Burzis Kanga. They divorced in 2008, an experience she references as a formative heartbreak. Her long-term relationship with financier Joel Schiffman ended in 2022. They were engaged, which often sparks the query “Is Hoda Kotb engaged?” Currently, she is not engaged and describes herself as happily single, pouring her romantic energy into her role as a mother. For now, Hoda Kotb married life is a closed chapter, with her focus locked solely on her girls.

Savannah Guthrie Hoda Kotb Interview: A Friendship of Mutual Respect

The television chemistry between the two anchors was never an act. When you watch the recent Savannah Guthrie Hoda Kotb interview clips surrounding the departure, the raw emotion is undeniable. Hoda Kotb praises Savannah Guthrie not as a coworker but as a “life partner” and a “soul sister.”

Their bond strengthened during life’s darkest moments. Savannah stood firm beside Hoda during the adoption of both daughters. Hoda provided a shoulder for Savannah during her own personal storms. One lesser-known fact is their pre-show ritual of a quick coffee huddle in one of their dressing rooms, no phones allowed. They shared fears about motherhood, health scares, and deep faith. The tearful on-air goodbye was not manufactured television; it was two women acknowledging that their daily four-hour, side-by-side journey had ended. Their support continues off-screen, proving that female solidarity in competitive spaces can be profoundly real.

Why Did Hoda Kotb Miss Today Show Episodes This Week?

Viewers remain highly attuned to changes. When Hoda Kotb missed Today show episodes this week in the past, theories often spiraled. Even after her exit, confusion sometimes arises if a scheduled return appearance gets canceled.

Historically, her absences almost always tied to her family. Hope, her youngest daughter, faced a sudden medical crisis in early 2023 that required an ICU stay and ongoing care. Hoda chose extreme privacy regarding the diagnosis, asking coworkers to stand in while she focused solely on healing. Unlike celebrities who issue detailed statements, she communicated solely through brief on-air mentions. This silence deepened the public’s protective love for her. Now, if she misses a scheduled podcast taping or guest spot, it is almost a guarantee she is handling a school run or a mom-duty emergency.

How Old Is Hoda Kotb? Age and Timeless Energy

How old is Hoda Kotb? She was born on August 9, 1964. This places Hoda Kotb age at 61 in 2026. Her attitude towards aging has completely flipped the script for women in the public eye.

She refuses to hide her age. Instead, she broadcasts it proudly, linking it to wisdom and fearlessness. She has spoken openly about having her daughters after fifty, a decision that defied her previous biological clock anxieties. Her dating life, laughter on air, and career pivot all scream vitality. She treats age as a license to stop pleasing people. According to her recent wellness talks, staying active with the girls and daily meditation—not cosmetic procedures—fuel her youthful energy. She represents a generation of women who are proving 61 can be the start of something entirely fresh.

Hoda Kotb Children: A Love Story Years in the Making

For Hoda Kotb, children represent a miracle of timing. She adopted both daughters in her fifties, following a breast cancer battle and a divorce. Her first call to an adoption agency came while she was still single, holding a belief that love would find a way.

Haley Joy arrived in 2017, changing the core of her universe. Hope Catherine followed in 2019. Hoda tells a specific story about hearing the song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on the subway, sobbing, just weeks before she received the call that Haley was waiting. Life in her apartment is a whirlwind of ballet slippers, Goldfish crackers, and off-key singing. She no longer measures days by ratings points but by bedtime stories successfully read. The anchor desk could never compete with the chaotic, sticky-handed reality of being “Mama.”

Who Is Hoda Kotb’s Husband? A Look at Her Past Love

Search interest in “Hoda Kotb husband” remains high because people seek a traditional love story for her. The reality, however, is one of independence. Her ex-husband Burzis Kanga remains a distant figure from her New Orleans days. The split was quiet, and she has long since characterized it as two young people drifting toward different lives.

Then came Joel Schiffman, the man she called “the love of my life” for eight years. Their proposal was a sunset moment on a Mexican beach. So why did two engaged, co-parenting soulmates part ways? She recently clarified it was a “growing apart,” not a catastrophic falling out. She holds no public bitterness; they co-parent the girls harmoniously. For now, the position of “husband” is vacant, filled instead by a rich, platonic support system of friends and her beloved mother, Sameha.

Hoda Kotb Fills In: Her New Podcast and Future Ventures

Don’t expect permanent retirement. When you see news that Hoda Kotb fills in for a guest spot or launches something new, pay attention. She is constructing a lifestyle empire.

Her new podcast, Making Space, is a total shift from the hard news tempo of Today. It focuses entirely on mindfulness, spiritual healing, and authentic conversation. She is also developing a wellness brand directly tied to her personal health journey. This includes guided journals and a potential app focusing on gratitude practices. She isn’t chasing the next big interview; she’s building a sandbox where she controls the toys. This direct-to-consumer approach gives her a longer runway and a more flexible schedule than network television ever allowed.

Hoda Kotb Instagram: A Window into Real Life

If you want truth, skip the press releases and check Hoda Kotb Instagram. Her handle (@hodakotb) bursts with unfiltered moments. It’s a masterclass in personal branding that feels utterly impersonalized.

You won’t find highly produced fashion shoots. You will find her in pajamas, making pancakes. You see her bare-faced, drinking coffee on a porch. One memorable post involved her alarm failing on her first day of a new project—she posted a hysterical, panicked selfie instead of a polished apology. This transparency is her superpower. Her Instagram Stories frequently feature her mother, Sameha, cooking Egyptian food and sharing generational wisdom. This direct pipeline to fans keeps her trustworthy reputation intact, proving that an authentic messy life connects deeper than a staged one.

How Tall Is Hoda Kotb and Her Ethnicity: The Roots of an Anchor

Fans often ask, “How tall is Hoda Kotb?” This height gave her a commanding presence in any studio, yet it is her internal stature that truly defined her career.

The question of “Hoda Kotb ethnicity” brings us to a rich cultural heritage. She is Egyptian-American. Her parents, Sameha and A.K. Kotb, raised her with deep ties to Egyptian traditions. She has traveled to Egypt many times and proudly speaks about her Muslim upbringing and the deep wisdom of her Egyptian mother. This background provided a unique lens in the often-homogenous world of morning news. She never assimilated to hide her roots; she placed them on center display during every family segment or cooking holiday special. She brought an immigrant-family narrative to Middle America long before it was considered mainstream programming.

Hoda Kotb New Puppy: Symbol of a New Era

After a major life upheaval, small acts of love define healing. The arrival of the Hoda Kotb new puppy, a rescue, signals her family’s open heart. The daughters had begged for a pet, and with her work schedule now localized to home-based projects, the timing felt right.

Introducing a new puppy while parenting two young children sounds chaotic. Hoda calls it “management by laughter.” She shares puppy-training failures on her podcast, equating the patience required to her new slower-paced life. The pet symbolizes their fresh start; a full house with tiny footsteps and paw prints. It signals a home filled with nurturing energy, a total departure from the silent, empty apartment she used to return to after a predawn show.

What Is Hoda Kotb Doing Now? The 2026 Roadmap

What is Hoda Kotb doing now? She’s busy curating a life, not just a career.

1. Keynote Speaking: She commands premium fees ($100,000+) for corporate speaking, discussing resilience and reinvention.
2. Mental Health Advocacy: Collaborating with wellness companies to bring mindfulness into schools.
3. Book Development: A new title focused on midlife courage is in the works.
4. Local Community Focus: She’s been spotted at PTA meetings and local fundraisers in her neighborhood, things she previously had no time to attend.
5. Selective Fill-Ins: She occasionally returns to NBC for specials, treating them like fun reunions rather than work.

Table: Hoda Kotb’s Career & Life Evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoda Kotb currently planning to return to a full-time news role?

No. She has consistently stated that her chapter of daily hard news and waking up at 3:00 AM is definitively over. Her focus is now on her wellness brand and children.

What did Hoda Kotb say about Savannah Guthrie during her final appearance?

She said working with Savannah was the “honor of a lifetime.” She credited Savannah’s steady friendship as the reason she could face personal hardships while staying on air.

What is Hoda Kotb’s actual net worth currently estimated at?

Financial analysts place Hoda Kotb’s net worth at $40 million. This figure combines her final salary, real estate holdings, and book royalties, giving her the freedom to pursue passion projects.

Did Hoda Kotb get married to her long-time partner in secret?

No. She did not marry Joel Schiffman. Their engagement ended, and she has not remarried. She is open about being a single mother and is not currently seeking a partner.

How many children does Hoda Kotb have, and when were they adopted?

She has two adopted daughters. Haley Joy joined the family in February 2017, and Hope Catherine was welcomed in April 2019.

Why did viewers notice Hoda Kotb missed several episodes last year?

Her youngest daughter, Hope, faced a major health challenge requiring intensive care. She missed episodes to be at the hospital, a decision she called the “easiest hard choice” she ever made.

A Life Built on Love, Not Just Ratings

Hoda Kotb’s next decade promises more impact than her last. She exited the main stage, but the spotlight is not fading; it is simply shining on a different, more meaningful set. She chose to write a second act that her daughters can watch in real-time, not one they would only read about in her memoirs. Her voice still echoes, not through a television studio, but through a life lived with extreme courage. The sound is stronger than ever.