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Jenna Bush Hager Thanks Hoda Kotb for Teaching Her ‘How to Say Goodbye With Grace’ in Final Episode
Tears were flowing during Hoda Kotb’s final episode of Today. Her friend and fellow host Jenna Bush Hager shared an emotional letter where she thanked Hoda for teaching her “how to say goodbye with grace.”
“Five years …. more than 1500 shows … 90,000 hours … 9,000 commercial breaks filled with Shaboozey, Beyoncé and constant laughter and soul affirming conversations. From Vegas to NOLA (three times!) from Austin to Quebec … to our home — this home Studio 1A which will always be ours. Mine and yours,” Jenna, 43, began during the episode on Friday, January 10.
The former first daughter said that she would “never forget” telling Hoda, 60, that she was pregnant with her son, Hal, and how a “month later” Hoda “FaceTimed [her] introducing [her] to baby Hope.”
“They were right on time!” Jenna exclaimed.
She then thanked Hoda for being her teacher for several things during their time on Today together.
“You have taught me to find the joy in the small: a stupid lemon hack that doesn’t work! The hilarity of answering the social D’s for Jo and Tom and Sally,” Jenna continued. “You have taught me that a polar plunge doesn’t mean actually plunging. That delight can come in the form of a minivan with electronic doors! How to create a HIT Christmas song (it charted if only for a day!) That an apple is a perfectly good baby present!”
However, the mom of three thanked her friend for teaching her and the rest of the Today staff the most important thing, which was “how to say goodbye with grace.”
“This isn’t just any Hodini … driving off with my purse still in your car – you have been able to sit in the glow of the goodbye! Viewers have traveled miles from other states to declare their love on poster boards, every single guest has gotten to share their ‘Hoda story’ – how you have made them feel seen, and heard,” Jenna said. “Thank you Hoda for everything you have taught me, everything you’ve given me: all the hugs, all the heart, all the laughs, all the love.”
She concluded her letter by saying, “I will miss you, my friend, but I love you and am so proud!”
Hoda officially said goodbye to her role on Today after 17 years on the show. The mom of two announced she would be stepping down from her role in September 2024, and she did so in a letter herself that she read on-air.
“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” Hoda said during the September 26, 2024, episode. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. 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.”
The Oklahoma native was celebrated during her final episode with special guests, including Simone Biles, Jimmy Fallon, Kermit the Frog and even a surprise appearance from her former cohost, Kathie Lee Gifford.
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