Who Is Hoda Kotb? Her Complete Story, Career, and Life Today

Introduction

Hoda Kotb stepped away from the Today show anchor desk in early 2025, yet she remains one of America’s most searched television personalities. Fans keep asking the same urgent questions: What is Hoda Kotb doing now? Did she get married? How is she handling this new chapter? This pillar page answers every major question about her career transition, family life, net worth, and daily routines. You get the complete, fact-checked picture right here.

Hoda Kotb’s Formative Years and Education

Hoda Kotb was born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma. Her parents, originally from Egypt, raised her in a household that valued hard work and storytelling. She spent parts of her childhood in Egypt and Nigeria before returning to the United States.

She attended Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where her classmates voted her homecoming queen. She later graduated from Virginia Tech in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism. She credits her time at the university radio station with building her on-air confidence from scratch.

The Emmy-Winning Broadcast Career

Hoda Kotb built her journalism career by accepting jobs in small markets that other reporters often rejected. She worked at stations in Greenville, Mississippi; Fort Myers, Florida; and Moline, Illinois before landing a position at WWL-TV in New Orleans. Her coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 pushed her work into the national spotlight and caught the attention of NBC News executives.

NBC hired her in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She eventually joined the Today show family, first as a co-host for the fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and later Jenna Bush Hager. In 2018, she made history when NBC named her co-anchor of the main Today broadcast, creating the first all-female anchor team alongside Savannah Guthrie.

The Emotional Savannah Guthrie Hoda Kotb Interview That Moved Viewers

The Savannah Guthrie Hoda Kotb interview from January 2025 ranks among the most heartfelt morning television moments of the year. Hoda Kotb told Savannah Guthrie that her decision to leave centered on one thing: time with her daughters. She looked directly at the camera and said she wanted to feel “the weight of a child on her chest” without rushing out the door at 4 a.m.

Savannah Guthrie cried openly during the exchange. She told Hoda Kotb she was the “heart of the show” and that no one would fill her chair the same way. The interview showed two colleagues who genuinely respected each other beyond the studio lights.

Hoda Kotb Missed Today Show Episodes This Week Pattern Explained

Viewers noticed Hoda Kotb missed Today show episodes this week headlines stopped appearing after her permanent departure in early 2025. Before her exit, she missed scattered broadcasts due to a family health matter involving her younger daughter Hope. NBC gave her full support during those absences.

Today, missing episodes carry a different meaning. She does not have scheduled appearances on the main broadcast. When she returns for special segments or wellness features, NBC promotes them heavily. If you see her absent from a planned appearance, her social media accounts always provide the reason first.

Did Hoda Kotb Get Married? The Honest Answer

Did Hoda Kotb get married remains a top-asked question. The direct answer: No. Hoda Kotb has never walked down the aisle. Her engagement to financier Joel Schiffman ended in early 2022 after an eight-year relationship. The couple announced their separation jointly and emphasized their commitment to co-parenting their two adopted daughters.

She has stated publicly that she is open to love but feels zero urgency to marry. Her focus stays locked on motherhood, her wellness projects, and the freedom of her post-Today life.

Is Hoda Kotb Engaged or Dating in 2026?

So, is Hoda Kotb engaged in 2026? No. Public records and her own statements confirm she wears no engagement ring and has not announced a new romantic partner. She keeps her private life guarded while sharing plenty about her kids, her morning routines, and her work.

She told People magazine in a late 2025 interview that she believes “love shows up when you stop chasing it.” That philosophy guides her current chapter. She dates casually but calls nothing serious enough to bring onto social media or television.

Hoda Kotb Married Status, Past Relationships, and Partnership Philosophy

Hoda Kotb married status remains single. Her longest relationship was with Joel Schiffman, whom she met at a Wall Street event in 2013. They got engaged in 2019 but called off the wedding plans three years later. The split was amicable.

She was previously married to Burzis Kanga, a tennis coach, from 2005 to 2008. That marriage ended in divorce, and she rarely discusses it publicly. She views each relationship as a teacher rather than a failure.

Hoda Kotb Children: Adoption, Motherhood, and Daily Life

Hoda Kotb children form the center of her world. She adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy, in February 2017 at age 52. She adopted her second daughter, Hope Catherine, in April 2019. Both adoptions surprised even her closest colleagues.

In early 2023, Hoda shared that Hope suffered a serious health scare requiring hospitalization and ongoing care. This event directly influenced her decision to leave the Today show. She now structures every day around school drop-offs, meals together, and slow mornings that her previous 3 a.m. alarm never allowed.

How Old Is Hoda Kotb and What Keeps Her Energized?

How old is Hoda Kotb? She is 62 years old, born August 9, 1964. Hoda Kotb age discussions often include astonishment because her energy suggests someone decades younger.

Her daily habits explain the vitality. She wakes without an alarm, walks three miles most mornings, practices gratitude journaling, and avoids alcohol entirely. She also credits her daughters with keeping her young. “They don’t care about my resume. They care that I show up,” she told The New York Times in late 2025.

Hoda Kotb Net Worth and Salary Breakdown

Hoda Kotb net worth estimates land between $30 million and $35 million based on publicly available contract figures, real estate holdings, and book royalties.

Hoda Kotb salary at NBC reportedly peaked at $8 million annually during her main anchor years. After her departure, she no longer pulls that full salary. She earns income through her podcast, book deals, speaking engagements, and occasional NBC specials.

Hoda Kotb Husband Search and What She Wants Now

Hoda Kotb husband questions flood search engines, but she prioritizes partnership over paperwork. She has said she would welcome a committed companion but does not need a wedding to feel complete. Her daughters come first, and any future partner must understand that arrangement without negotiation.

Friends describe her as open, relaxed, and unattached to timelines. She told Jenna Bush Hager on a podcast episode that she downloaded a dating app, laughed at it for a week, and then deleted it without meeting anyone.

Hoda Kotb Praises Savannah Guthrie Publicly and Privately

Hoda Kotb praises Savannah Guthrie in nearly every major interview about her career. She calls Savannah “the sharpest legal mind in morning television” and “a sister who showed up without conditions.” Their friendship deepened during the pandemic when both balanced anchoring duties with parenting young children.

Savannah returns the admiration consistently. In a Variety profile, she said Hoda Kotb taught her that vulnerability on air is not a weakness but a connection tool. Their bond remains strong even after Hoda’s departure from daily broadcasts.

Hoda Kotb Instagram Strategy and Authentic Social Presence

Hoda Kotb Instagram (@hodakotb) serves as her direct line to 2.8 million followers. She posts unfiltered morning coffee shots, daughter moments, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes content from speaking events.

Her engagement strategy ignores polished influencer tactics. She writes captions in her natural voice, responds to comments personally, and uses Stories to share real-time feelings about motherhood wins and struggles. This authenticity drives higher engagement than most celebrity accounts in her age demographic.

Hoda Kotb Fills In Today and Stays Connected to NBC

Hoda Kotb fills in Today for special occasions rather than daily shifts. She returned for the show’s Thanksgiving broadcast in 2025 and co-hosted a New Year’s Eve special. NBC treats her as a family member who can drop in anytime.

She also contributes wellness segments filmed from her home or community spaces. These appearances keep her face familiar to viewers without the grind of a daily commute to 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

How Tall Is Hoda Kotb and Other Physical Stats

How tall is Hoda Kotb? She stands 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters). Her height gives her a commanding presence on camera, which she balances with approachable body language and genuine smiles.

She maintains her fitness through daily walking, occasional yoga, and a plant-forward diet. She has been open about her breast cancer survivorship since her 2007 diagnosis and mastectomy, using her platform to encourage regular screenings.

Hoda Kotb Ethnicity and Cultural Pride

Hoda Kotb ethnicity reflects her Egyptian heritage through both parents. She identifies as Egyptian-American and speaks with deep pride about her roots. She traveled to Egypt with her daughters in 2024 to show them where their grandparents grew up.

She celebrates Egyptian traditions during holidays and often mentions her mother’s recipes on social media. Her name “Hoda” means “guidance” in Arabic, a meaning her mother chose deliberately.

What Is Hoda Kotb Doing Now? The 2026 Chapter

What is Hoda Kotb doing now? She launched a wellness-focused media company in mid-2025 that produces a weekly podcast, monthly live events, and a newsletter with 500,000 subscribers. She wrote her fifth book, focused on midlife reinvention, which publishes in fall 2026.

She spends school hours on business strategy and creative work. Afternoons and weekends belong completely to Haley and Hope. She volunteers at her daughters’ school library every Wednesday. She calls this arrangement “the rhythm I always needed but was too afraid to build.”

Hoda Kotb New Puppy and the Growing Household

Hoda Kotb new puppy joined the family in late 2025. She adopted a golden retriever puppy she named “Sunny” after a suggestion from Haley. The dog appears regularly on her Instagram Stories, usually curled next to the girls during bedtime reading.

She says the puppy adds chaos and joy in equal measure. Morning walks now include a leash and a stroller, which she describes as “beautiful, messy, and exactly what we wanted.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoda Kotb still on the Today show full-time?

No. Hoda Kotb left the Today show’s main anchor desk in January 2025. She appears occasionally for special broadcasts and wellness segments but does not host daily programming anymore.

Did Hoda Kotb leave Today because of her daughter’s health?

The health challenges her daughter Hope faced in early 2023 played a major role in her decision. She wanted to be fully present for medical appointments and daily recovery routines without the demands of a 4 a.m. wake-up call.

What is Hoda Kotb’s relationship with Savannah Guthrie now?

They remain close friends. They text regularly, meet for dinners with their kids, and support each other’s projects. Their on-air chemistry was genuine, and their off-air bond continues.

Has Hoda Kotb adopted more children?

As of August 2026, she has not adopted additional children. She has mentioned being content with her two daughters and focuses completely on their upbringing.

What books has Hoda Kotb written?

She has authored several books, including Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee, Ten Years Later, I’ve Loved You Since Forever, and You Are My Happy. Her newest book on midlife transformation arrives in fall 2026.

How does Hoda Kotb make money now?

She earns through her wellness media company, podcast, speaking engagements, book royalties, and occasional NBC special appearances. Her diversified income matches or exceeds her former anchor salary according to financial disclosures.

Your Next Step Into Hoda Kotb’s World

Hoda Kotb built a career on showing up as her authentic self, even when cameras stopped rolling. She left the anchor desk not as a retreat but as a deliberate move toward the life she wanted to live. Her story proves that the most powerful chapters often start after the spotlight shifts.

Bookmark this page for updates as her journey unfolds. Share it with someone who needs permission to build their own next chapter on their own terms.