Hoda Kotb is leaving NBC's “Today” show at the end of 2024

Hoda Kotb plans to leave NBC Today show.

The NBC anchor announced the news on Thursday morning's show, adding that she will remain co-host of the show until early 2025 before moving on to a new role at NBC News.

“I just turned 60 and it was a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about this decade: What does this decade mean? What does it hold? What will it have for me? And I realized that at 60 it was time for me to turn the page and try something new,” Kotb said, flanked by her Today Show colleagues on the Studio 1A couch.

“I had my children late in life and thought they deserved a bigger share of the time I had,” she added. “I feel like we only have a limited amount of time.”

“We love you so much, and when you look – when you see those tears – they are love, the way you are so loved. And honestly I don't think any of us can imagine, we don't want to imagine this place without you,” Kotb's co-host Savannah Guthrie said after the news was announced. “I just want to say I'm so proud of my friend. You have the courage to leave someone who did their best, to leave behind something wonderful that you love, where it is easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and safe…. You have so much courage. You inspire me.”

Kotb was a co-host on NBC Today He has worked alongside Guthrie since 2018 and has been a correspondent and anchor at NBC News for 26 years. She brought this into being Today She hosts the fourth hour of the show alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager.

Her impending departure will force NBC News to decide how to fill two of the network's most important time slots: The prime time slot Today show and the 10 a.m. hour. It's not immediately clear what the network has planned.

“Twenty-six years at NBC News – ten years at Datelineseven at seven o'clock, sixteen at ten o'clock. I imagine your faces and your families and how you have uplifted and inspired me. That makes my heart sing,” Kotb wrote in a memo Today Staff. “So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most treasured friendships. Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my life or death. Al: my longest friend on 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you Today desperate.”

While the details of her new role at NBC were not announced Thursday, Kotb is expected to contribute to the program in some capacity as co-host following her departure.