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Hoda Kotb facts for kids

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Hoda Kotb
هدى قطب
Hoda Kotb 2022 (cropped).jpg
Kotb in 2022
Born (1964-08-09) August 9, 1964 (age 60)
Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Citizenship
  • United States
  • Egypt
Education Virginia Tech (BA)
Years active 1986–present
Employer NBC News
Known for Co-anchor of the Today show (2018–2025)
Co-anchor of the fourth hour of the Today show (2007–2025)
Dateline NBC correspondent (1998–present)
Spouse(s)
Burzis Kanga
​
​
(m. 2005; div. 2008)​
Partner(s) Joel Schiffman (2013–2022)
Children 2

Hoda Kotb (born August 9, 1964) is an American journalist, TV host, and author. She is well-known for her work on the NBC News morning show Today. From 2018 to 2025, she was the main co-anchor of the show. She also co-hosted the "fourth hour" of Today from 2007 to 2025, which focuses on entertainment. Before that, Hoda was a correspondent for the TV news program Dateline NBC.

Hoda's Early Life and Education

Hoda Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma. She spent her childhood in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. Her parents were originally from Egypt. Hoda and her family lived in Egypt for a year, and also in Nigeria. She has a brother named Adel and a sister named Hala.

Hoda's mother, Sameha, worked at the Library of Congress. Her father, Abdel Kader Kotb, was an expert in fossil energy. He passed away in 1986 when he was 51 years old.

Hoda graduated from Fort Hunt High School in 1982. She was chosen as the homecoming queen and gave a speech at her graduation ceremony. She went to Virginia Tech. There, she was part of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

In 1986, Hoda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism. She returned to Virginia Tech in 2008 to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. During her speech, she even played Metallica's song "Enter Sandman" from her iPod. In 2010, Hoda was elected to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Hoda's Career Journey

Hoda Kotb started her TV career right after college. Her first on-air job was in Greenville, Mississippi. She then worked as a reporter in Moline, Illinois, from 1988 to 1989. After that, she became a weekend anchor and reporter in Fort Myers, Florida, from 1989 to 1991. From 1992 to 1998, Hoda was an anchor and reporter in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 2011, country singer Martina McBride asked Hoda to appear in her music video. The song was called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." It was a special song dedicated to people who had survived cancer.

Working at NBC News

Hoda officially joined NBC News in April 1998. She became a correspondent for Dateline NBC and worked across all NBC News platforms.

In September 2007, Hoda became the first host of the "fourth hour" of Today. This part of the show airs weekday mornings at 10:00 a.m. In April 2008, Kathie Lee Gifford joined her as a co-host. After Kathie Lee left the show in April 2019, Jenna Bush Hager became Hoda's new co-host.

On February 23, 2015, Hoda started hosting her own live show. It aired twice a week for one hour on Sirius XM's Today channel. On this show, she talked about everyday topics.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie became the main co-anchors of the Today show in 2018. They were the first female duo to lead the show.

On September 26, 2024, Hoda announced she would be leaving her role on Today in early 2025. She said she would continue to work with NBC in a different role. Her last day on Today was January 10, 2025.

Hoda's Books

Hoda Kotb is also a successful author. In October 2010, she released her autobiography. It was called Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee. This book became a New York Times bestseller.

On January 15, 2013, she released her second book, Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives. In this book, she shares stories of six people. She looks at a big event in their lives and then checks in with them ten years later.

In 2016, Hoda released her third book, Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made. This book features inspiring stories. It tells about people who found their true selves in unexpected situations.

In October 2019, Hoda released her sixth book, I Really Needed This Today. This book includes her personal thoughts and experiences. It also has many quotes and sayings that she hopes will inspire readers. She released a follow-up book in October 2020 called This Just Speaks to Me. This book continues her daily reflections and includes more personal stories and quotes.

Hoda has also written children's books. Her first children's book, and fourth book overall, was I've Loved You Since Forever. It came out in 2018. Singer Kelly Clarkson even turned it into a lullaby. Her second children's book, You Are My Happy, was released in March 2019. This book celebrates the things in life that make us feel grateful.

Awards and Recognition

Hoda Kotb has received many awards for her journalism and hosting.

  • In 2002, she won the Edward R. Murrow Award for her reporting.
  • She received her first Gracie Awards in 2003 and 2008.
  • In 2004, Hoda won a Headliner Award for her Dateline NBC report called "Saving Dane – Adoptees Rage".
  • In 2006, she was awarded a Peabody Award for Dateline NBC's "The Education of Ms. Groves". This report also earned her another Headliner Award in 2007 and the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award in 2008.
  • From 2010 to 2012, while Hoda was a host on Today, the show won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program.
  • In 2015, she won a Webby Award for a music video she created. It was called "Truly Brave" and was made with Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper. The video helped raise awareness for childhood cancer. That same year, she also received another Gracie Award.
  • In 2016, Hoda won a Gracie Award for her SiriusXM show.
  • Time magazine included Hoda Kotb in its list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2018.
  • In 2019, Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host.
  • Hoda was awarded the Matrix Award in October 2021.

Hoda's Personal Life

Family Life

In 2005, Hoda Kotb married Burzis Kanga, a tennis coach. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2008.

Hoda started a relationship with Joel Schiffman in 2013. On February 21, 2017, Hoda announced on Today that she had adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy Kotb. On April 16, 2019, she announced that she had adopted a second baby girl named Hope Catherine Kotb. On November 25, 2019, Hoda shared live on Today that she and Joel were engaged. However, on January 31, 2022, Hoda announced that they had ended their engagement. They decided to focus on raising their daughters together as friends.

Health Journey

In March 2007, Hoda Kotb had surgery for breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Since then, she has become a strong supporter of breast cancer awareness. Hoda allowed the Today show cameras to follow her journey. She was declared cancer-free and has continued to share her story to help others learn about breast cancer.

Hoda's Career Timeline

Other TV Appearances

Hoda Kotb has also made guest appearances on various TV shows and movies, often playing herself.

  • 2009: Lipstick Jungle (1 episode)
  • 2010: 30 Rock (1 episode)
  • 2014: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 episodes)
  • 2014–2017: Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (4 episodes)
  • 2015: Lip Sync Battle (1 episode)
  • 2015: Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (movie)
  • 2015: Donny! (2 episodes)
  • 2016: Younger (1 episode)
  • 2016: Brothers Take New Orleans (Celebrity judge)
  • 2017: Nashville (1 episode)
  • 2017: Sharknado 5: Global Swarming (movie)
  • 2018: Mickey and the Roadster Racers as Miss Sweetums
  • 2020: The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (guest)
  • 2021: Valerie's Home Cooking (1 episode)
  • 2022: Marry Me (cameo in movie)
  • 2022: Girls5eva (1 episode)
  • 2024: Curb Your Enthusiasm (1 episode)

Images for kids

  • Hoda Kotb with crew members at the 66th Annual Peabody Awards

    Hoda Kotb, Monica Groves, and Shayla Harris accepting an award for Dateline NBC in 2007.

See also

  • New Yorkers in journalism
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