Hoda Kotb Opens Up About Reason Why She Left ‘Today’: ‘I Really Needed to Be Here’ for Daughter Hope

Hoda Kotb said goodbye on Today at the beginning of the new year, and she recently revealed that her daughter Hope’s medical condition played a big part in her decision to step away from the morning show.

Hope, 6, has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Hoda, 60, revealed to People in an article published on Wednesday, May 28. The autoimmune disease “affects the insulin making cells of the pancreas,” according to the Mayo Clinic. In order to manage the condition, the patient’s blood sugar has to be monitored constantly and insulin injections are required on a regular basis.

“It’s kind of constant care for Hope. We’re monitoring her 24/7,” the mom of two tells the outlet. “She was getting shots — four or five a day — every day for a year. Now she is getting them less frequently because we have some other means to get her what she needs, but there’s a lot to it. Some kids can have sweets and she can’t. If she’s up in the night, we have to take care of her at night. She is a happy, healthy, rambunctious, amazing kid, and we have to watch her. Diabetes is a part of her, but not all of her. I hope it shapes her but never defines her.”

Hoda Kotb 'Realized She Wanted to Be Home More' After Daughter Got Sick

Hoda continued, “I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her. So, whenever she needs anything, and it can happen at night, multiple times, I’m up — I’m up up up. But I would never, ever want Hope to one day grow up and say, ‘Oh, my mom left her job because [of me].’ It wasn’t that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision.”

Since stepping away from the hosting position on Today after 16 years, Hoda has been enjoying her time at home with Hope and her eldest daughter, Haley, 8.

“I sleep in the middle so there’s no rolling over — and it is not my favorite sleeping position,” Hoda gushed. “But when I wake up and they’re both nuzzled into me, I’m thinking to myself like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at me! I get to lay here with these two kids, and all they want to do is be as close to me as they can get.’”

Hoda first announced her decision to leave Today on September 26, 2024, and fans were shocked to hear the news.

“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” she said in a letter she read to her coworkers on air. “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.”

Hoda Kotb Felt Mom Guilt Before Making the Decision to Leave ‘Today’

Hoda’s last day on Today arrived on January 10, and while it had its tearful moments, it was a celebration of her time on the show.

“Can I just say thank you?” she said through tears before saying goodbye. “I haven’t been able to articulate it, because I’m a mess most times, but I just want to say thanks.”