Hoda Kotb Carried Around 'Guilt' When Working with Today Show

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Hoda Kotb discussed her role at the 'Today' show, as well as all of the guilt she carried when she juggled her career with raising her daughters.

The anchor explained that this inner struggle eventually caused her to implement the choice she’d long considered of exiting the Today show to spend more time with her family. 

Kotb shares struggles of balancing family and work

Video courtesy: Hoda Kotb Talks About Her Decision to Leave TODAY Show and 26 Years at NBC | The Tonight Show by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Hoda explained to People Magazine that turning 60 made her mull over how she wished to spend her future.

Hoda, a mom to four-year-old Hope Catherine and seven-year-old Haley Joy, talked of the emotional toll that balancing family and work had on her life.

According to Hoda, there is this guilt you experience because you cannot be fully at home and fully at work. Something will give if you desire excellence.

Photo courtesy: Hoda Kotb Instagram

Hoda adopted both of her daughters, and added that her need to spend more time with them was a big factor in the decision she made.

She expressed that if you want to be excellent in the home... something will give at work. It cannot be equal.

Kotb reflected on the need to be ‘different’ when she turned 60

The anchor reflected on being 60 and how she had the desire to structure her time moving ahead.

One of her anticipated changes included no longer having to rise at 3.30 a.m. to go to work, even on Saturday and Sunday. She shared that she won’t have to be playing beat the clock all of the time anymore.

She added, it’s that she wants more of her time to be spent with her two children, and mentioned that ‘...Now, mommy will be able to take you to school.'

She morning anchor agonized over what her work demanded and she "yearned" and felt something pulling her.

She did not repress her feelings to be on the safe side and say ‘...It makes more sense to remain at NBC. I am financially secure and I’d have job security.’

‘Who wouldn’t do that?’ she concluded. But she has been watching her daughter and was thinking to herself, “I wonder what I am missing?”

Kotb mentioned that her youngest daughter Hope had a medical crisis in 2023, which also influenced her decision to leave the Today Show. 

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