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Hoda Kotb Visibly Emotional During Her Final Rockefeller Tree Lighting as ‘Today’ Host
Hoda Kotb got quite emotional while ringing in the holiday season. The Today host was joined by her colleagues at her final Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting as a member of the Today team on Wednesday, December 4.
In a video posted on the talk show’s official Instagram page, Hoda, 60, linked her arm around Savannah Guthrie as they watched as snow began falling around Rockefeller Center. She looked on in amazement as Christmas lights glimmered all around her. It appeared that Hoda was fighting back tears as she shut her eyes for a few seconds and gave Savannah, 52, a smile.
“Taking in the moment. It’s snowing at Rockefeller Center!” the caption of the video said.
And fans were equally as emotional after seeing the clip, making it known that they will miss Hoda dearly when she officially leaves the show.
“Now, how perfect is this? Her face says it all,” one person commented on the post
“This tree lighting is always magical,” another person said, while another commented, “This is so sweet. We miss you already @hodakotb.”
“Hoda was so emotional. I just love her,” another person wrote.
On September 26, Hoda announced that she was leaving Today in the new year. Her final broadcast will be on January 10, and it is sure to be rather emotional for everyone. Craig Melvin will be stepping into Hoda’s role as Savannah’s official coanchor on January 13.
It “is a huge change for Hoda. It’s not a decision she made lightly, so she isn’t going back on it, but she’s certainly feeling every possible emotion right now,” an insider told Closer of Hoda, who is preparing for her next chapter after Today.
Hoda revealed that the reason behind her departure was simple — to spend more time with her daughters, Haley and Hope.
“She’s excited about the future – she’s going to have so much more time with her kids and she’s launched her new podcast, and with all the offers rolling in, she finally has the chance to work on her own terms,” the insider added.
The NBC favorite shares her kids with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. She recently moved into a new home with her children in the suburbs and she hosted her first Thanksgiving at the new place this year.
“We had a full house. Our very first Thanksgiving at a table that seated every person,” Hoda said to Jenna Bush Hager during an episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna after Thanksgiving. “We always sat at a round table that seated five. We set the table. We had real plates. It was really fun.”
She also appeared for the final time as a host of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade last month. Cynthia Erivo gave Hoda a bouquet of flowers during the broadcast to mark the occasion.
“Before you even begin, yes, these flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing,” the Wicked actress said. “I wanted to celebrate that and I wanted to say we love you. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve done all of these years.”
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