Savannah Guthrie admitted she is “so sad” to see pal Hoda Kotb exit Today after a remarkable run on the talk show.
“It's all the feelings, it's all the emotions, because it's primarily pride and gratitude that we had the time that we had together and I'm just so proud of how courageous she is being,” Savannah, 52, exclusively told Closer at Project Healthy Mind 's World Mental Health Day Gala on October 10, held to support the organization’s mission to connect over 10 million Americans with mental health services through its free digital marketplace over the next decade.
“It's easy to leave something that's hard,” Savannah added of Hoda’s departure from the program. “It's not that easy to leave something that's wonderful, and she loves it, and she knows how blessed she is but she's boldly stepping out into this future, a future that she hasn't written yet, a future that she's not totally certain what it will look like, but she believes in herself enough to know I can take this step.”
See Savannah Guthrie's Cutest Photos With Sweet Husband Mike Feldman
Hoda, 60, first announced her plan to leave Today during a broadcast on September 26, with Savannah breaking down in tears as she sat beside her.
"Hoda, we love you so much. And when you look around and see these tears, they're love. You are so loved. ... We don't want to imagine this place without you,” Savannah said during the emotional broadcast.
"But also, I just want to say I am so proud of my friend," the newscaster continued. "You have guts. For someone to leave at the top of their game — to leave something that's wonderful, that you love, where it's easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun and say, 'But I dream even bigger for myself,' into the great unknown, you have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you."
While Hoda will cohost her final episode of Today in early 2025, Savannah is excited to see what her costar does next.
“I'm going to be there with my two pom-poms cheering for her the way she's cheered for me over and over again,” the Mostly What God Does author shared. “But of course, for myself and for our show, yes, we're so, so sad because there's no one like her.”
The pair are great friends outside of Today , as Savannah recently visited Hoda and her two daughters, Haley and Hope, at their new home in the New York City suburbs. While the visit was short for Savannah, her husband, Mike Feldman , and their kids, Vale and Charley, they had a great time.
"I have to say Savannah understands and she was like, 'We're coming and going,'" Hoda said during an episode of Today on September 16 after the visit.
"They came in, they ate some cupcakes, they walked around, the kids were on the swings for like 10 minutes and she goes, 'All right, time to go, kids!'” the broadcaster said.
As for what’s next for Hoda, the NBC personality teased that she will be venturing into a new industry.
"It's a whole wellness situation, and I got lit up by that just from stuff I've been working on and doing on myself," the mom of two told People on October 11. "I've learned to do a bunch of different things with breath works and what not through friends, through Jenna [ Bush Hager ], through Maria [ Shriver ], through all these different people, and I've been loving it."
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