Hoda Kotb’s Rapid Return to the Today Show: Family, Health, and New Beginnings

Less than two months after her emotional departure from the Today show on January 10, 2025, Hoda Kotb made a surprising return to the NBC morning program, sparking widespread curiosity about the true motivations behind her swift comeback. On February 28, 2025, Kotb appeared in a video message during the 3rd Hour of Today, delighting co-anchor Craig Melvin, meteorologist Al Roker, and correspondent Dylan Dreyer, who were broadcasting live from New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Her brief but heartfelt appearance, coupled with her deep ties to the city, reignited speculation about her reasons for stepping back into the spotlight so soon after vowing to prioritize her daughters, Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 6. Kotb’s return, however, reveals a complex interplay of personal priorities, a family health challenge, and an ambitious new venture that has kept her tethered to the Today family.

Kotb’s exit from Today after 17 years was framed as a deliberate choice to focus on motherhood, prompted by her 60th birthday in August 2024 and a desire to “repot” her life. She tearfully announced her departure on September 26, 2024, citing her daughters—adopted later in life—as her primary motivation. The grueling 3:00 a.m. wake-up calls and demanding schedule of morning television had taken a toll, and Kotb expressed a longing to walk her children to school and be present for their milestones. Her final episode, dubbed the “Hoda-bration,” was a star-studded send-off featuring guests like Simone Biles and Jimmy Fallon, with her daughters by her side as she drove off in a car adorned with a “Just Repotted” banner. Fans and colleagues alike assumed Kotb was stepping away from the public eye to embrace a quieter life. Yet, her return less than seven weeks later suggests a more nuanced story.

The New Orleans appearance was no random cameo. Kotb, who worked as an anchor and reporter for CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans early in her career, has long described the city as her “second home.” Her love for its culture, food, and music runs deep—she rode in a Mardi Gras parade a decade ago, an experience Roker likened to accompanying royalty. During the February broadcast, Kotb’s video message was infused with her signature warmth and humor, as she playfully chided her colleagues for visiting “her city” without her. The moment, while lighthearted, carried emotional weight, particularly in the wake of a tragic terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day 2025, which Kotb had mourned on air before her exit. Her return to Today in this context suggests a desire to reconnect with both her professional roots and a city that holds personal significance.

Beyond nostalgia, Kotb’s rapid return appears tied to a family health challenge that has reshaped her priorities. In a candid conversation during a later Today appearance on May 28, 2025, Kotb revealed that her daughter Hope’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes was a significant factor in her decision to leave the show. The condition, which requires constant monitoring and lifestyle adjustments, has demanded more of Kotb’s time and emotional energy. Hope’s health journey began with a frightening medical crisis in February 2023, when she spent several days in the ICU and over a week in the hospital. Kotb described the experience as a humbling reminder of her limitations as a parent, forcing her to confront the reality that she couldn’t “will away” her daughter’s struggles. While Hope’s condition has stabilized, the ongoing demands of managing Type 1 diabetes prompted Kotb to reassess her career, initially leading to her exit. However, her return suggests that Today offers a platform to balance her professional ambitions with her family’s needs, possibly through a less demanding role.

Kotb’s new venture in the wellness space also played a pivotal role in her comeback. She has teased an upcoming project, described as a “whole wellness situation,” inspired by her personal exploration of breathwork, meditation, and holistic practices. Influenced by friends like Jenna Bush Hager and Maria Shriver, Kotb hosted a wellness retreat at Miraval Austin Resort in October 2024, where 150 attendees participated in yoga, meditation, and inspirational talks. The event, which featured Shriver and entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima, marked a glimpse of Kotb’s post-Today aspirations to mentor and uplift others. Her May 28 appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends, where she reunited with Bush Hager to co-host the fourth hour, was strategically timed to announce this project. The return allowed Kotb to leverage Today’s massive audience to promote her wellness initiative, suggesting that her exit was less a full departure and more a transition to a new chapter within the NBC family.

Public sentiment, particularly on X, reflects a mix of admiration and skepticism. Fans have praised Kotb’s dedication to her daughters, with posts highlighting her choice to prioritize “parent time” over the morning show grind. One user described her return as a testament to her unbreakable bond with the Today team, noting that her New Orleans cameo felt like a “family reunion.” Others, however, question the sincerity of her initial exit, speculating that her quick return might be driven by financial incentives or a need to maintain relevance in a competitive media landscape. The hashtag #HodaComeback trended alongside posts questioning whether her departure was a publicity stunt, with some users pointing to her continued NBC appearances as evidence of a calculated strategy.

The broader context of Kotb’s return highlights the challenges faced by women in media, particularly those balancing high-profile careers with motherhood. Kotb, who adopted her daughters at 52 and 55, has been open about the unique pressures of parenting later in life. Her decision to leave Today resonated with many working mothers, who saw it as a bold stand for family over career. Yet, her return underscores the difficulty of fully stepping away from a platform that has defined her identity for nearly two decades. Unlike her predecessors, such as Katie Couric or Barbara Walters, who transitioned to other ventures after leaving morning television, Kotb’s deep emotional connection to Today—evident in her tearful farewell and warm return—suggests a reluctance to sever ties completely.

Kotb’s relationship with NBC also plays a role in her comeback. Her departure was not a clean break; she remained under contract with the network, with plans to contribute to special projects and occasional appearances. The Today show, facing a transitional period after losing key figures like Savannah Guthrie (who scaled back her role in 2024), likely saw Kotb’s return as a way to stabilize its brand. Her New Orleans cameo and subsequent appearances have boosted ratings, particularly among viewers who associate her with the show’s feel-good ethos. The network’s decision to feature her prominently in high-profile events, like the Mardi Gras broadcast, reflects a mutual benefit: Kotb maintains her visibility, while NBC capitalizes on her enduring popularity.

The wellness venture adds another layer to Kotb’s story. The retreat at Miraval was a success, with attendees praising her authenticity and vulnerability. Her project, set to launch formally in late 2025, aims to create a community around mental and physical well-being, drawing on her experiences with Hope’s health challenges and her own journey of self-discovery. By returning to Today, Kotb gains a platform to amplify this mission, reaching millions of viewers who trust her as a relatable figure. This strategic move aligns with trends in media, where personalities like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon have built empires around lifestyle and wellness brands.

Kotb’s return also carries cultural significance in the wake of New Orleans’ recovery from the 2025 attack. Her presence during the Mardi Gras broadcast served as a symbol of resilience, reinforcing Today’s role as a unifying force in times of crisis. Her personal history with the city—where she honed her journalistic skills and formed lifelong friendships—made her cameo a poignant moment of reconnection. For viewers, it was a reminder of Kotb’s ability to bridge personal and professional narratives, a skill that has endeared her to audiences since she joined Today in 2008.

As Kotb navigates this new phase, questions linger about her long-term role at Today. Will she return to a regular co-hosting position, or will her appearances remain sporadic, tied to special events and her wellness project? Her contract with NBC provides flexibility, but the demands of parenting Hope, whose health requires ongoing attention, may limit her capacity for a full-time return. For now, Kotb seems to be carving out a hybrid path, blending motherhood, advocacy, and entrepreneurship while maintaining her connection to the Today family.

The saga of Kotb’s exit and return underscores the complexities of modern celebrity and the pressures of public life. Her story resonates with those who admire her resilience and authenticity, while sparking debate among those who see her comeback as a retreat from her stated priorities. Whether driven by love for her colleagues, a need to support her family, or ambition to launch a new venture, Kotb’s rapid return to Today reveals a woman unwilling to be defined by a single role. As she steps back into the spotlight, her journey continues to captivate, proving that even in “repotting” her life, some roots—particularly those tied to Today—run too deep to uproot entirely.