History of Hoda Kotb in Timeline

Hoda Kotb is a prominent American broadcast journalist, television personality, and accomplished author. She held the position of main co-anchor of NBC's Today show from 2018 to 2025, contributing significantly to its morning news coverage. Concurrently, from 2007 to 2025, she co-hosted the show's fourth hour, which focuses on entertainment. Before her roles on Today, Kotb was a correspondent for Dateline NBC, showcasing her versatility in news broadcasting.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1932: Birth of Father, Abdel Kader Kotb

In 1932, Hoda Kotb's father, Abdel Kader Kotb, was born. He was a fossil energy specialist.

August 9, 1964: Hoda Kotb Born

On August 9, 1964, Hoda Kotb was born. She is an American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author.

1982: Graduation from Fort Hunt High School

In 1982, Hoda Kotb graduated from Fort Hunt High School, where she was elected homecoming queen and selected to speak at the baccalaureate service.

1985: Death of Father, Abdel Kader Kotb

In 1985, Hoda Kotb's father, Abdel Kader Kotb, passed away.

1986: Graduation from Virginia Tech

In 1986, Hoda Kotb graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism.

1988: Reporter at WQAD

In 1988, Hoda Kotb moved to ABC affiliate WQAD in Moline, Illinois as a reporter.

1989: Weekend Anchor and Reporter at WINK

In 1989, Hoda Kotb became a weekend anchor and reporter at CBS affiliate WINK in Fort Myers, Florida.

1991: End of role at WINK

In 1991, Hoda Kotb concluded her role as a weekend anchor and reporter at CBS affiliate WINK in Fort Myers, Florida.

1992: Anchor and Reporter for WWL

In 1992, Hoda Kotb became an anchor and reporter for CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans, Louisiana.

April 1998: Joined NBC News

In April 1998, Hoda Kotb officially joined NBC News as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and all NBC News platforms.

1998: End of role at WWL

In 1998, Hoda Kotb concluded her role as anchor and reporter for CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2002: Edward R. Murrow Award

In 2002, Hoda Kotb was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for her reporting.

2003: First Gracie Award

In 2003, Hoda Kotb received her first Gracie Award.

2004: Headliner Award

In 2004, Hoda Kotb was awarded a Headliner Award for Dateline NBC's "Saving Dane – Adoptees Rage".

2005: Married Burzis Kanga

In 2005, Hoda Kotb married University of New Orleans tennis coach Burzis Kanga.

2006: Peabody Award

In 2006, Hoda Kotb was awarded a Peabody Award for Dateline NBC's "The Education of Ms. Groves".

March 2007: Underwent Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery

In March 2007, Hoda Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer and has since become an advocate for breast cancer awareness.

September 2007: First Host of Today's Fourth Hour

In September 2007, Hoda Kotb became the first host of Today's first fourth-hour weekday morning broadcast at 10:00 a.m.

2007: Co-host of Today's Fourth Hour

In 2007, Hoda Kotb became the co-host of the entertainment-focused fourth hour of the "Today" show.

2007: Headliner Award

In 2007, Hoda Kotb received an additional Headliner Award for Dateline NBC's "The Education of Ms. Groves".

April 2008: Kathie Lee Gifford Joins Today's Fourth Hour

In April 2008, Kathie Lee Gifford joined Hoda Kotb as a co-host of Today's fourth hour.

2008: Gracie Award

In 2008, Hoda Kotb received a Gracie Award.

2008: Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award

In 2008, Hoda Kotb was awarded the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for Dateline NBC's "The Education of Ms. Groves".

2008: Keynote Speaker at Virginia Tech Graduation

In 2008, Hoda Kotb was the keynote speaker at Virginia Tech's graduation, where she played Metallica's "Enter Sandman".

2008: Divorced Burzis Kanga

In 2008, Hoda Kotb's marriage to Burzis Kanga ended in divorce.

October 2010: Released Autobiography

In October 2010, Hoda Kotb released her New York Times bestselling autobiography, "Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee".

2010: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program

In 2010, "Today" won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program, during which Hoda Kotb was part of the morning host lineup.

2010: Elected to Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors

In 2010, Hoda Kotb was elected to a three-year term on the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2011: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program

In 2011, "Today" won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program, during which Hoda Kotb was part of the morning host lineup.

2011: Featured in Martina McBride's Music Video

In 2011, Hoda Kotb was featured in Martina McBride's music video for "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," a ballad dedicated to cancer survivors.

2012: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program

In 2012, "Today" won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Morning Program, during which Hoda Kotb was part of the morning host lineup.

January 15, 2013: Released "Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives"

On January 15, 2013, Hoda Kotb released her second book, "Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives", chronicling six stories of individuals revisited a decade after a life-changing event.

2013: Began Relationship with Joel Schiffman

In 2013, Hoda Kotb began a relationship with New York financier Joel Schiffman.

February 23, 2015: Hosted Live Show on Sirius XM's Today Channel

On February 23, 2015, Hoda Kotb began hosting a live, one-hour show twice a week on Sirius XM's Today channel, discussing casual water cooler topics.

2015: Webby Award and Gracie Award

In 2015, Hoda Kotb won a Webby Award for Online Film & Video and a Gracie Award for Outstanding Host for her music video "Truly Brave".

2016: Released "Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made"

In 2016, Hoda Kotb released her third book, "Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made", featuring stories of inspiring people who found themselves in unexpected moments.

2016: Gracie Award for SiriusXM Show

In 2016, Hoda Kotb was awarded with a Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in Entertainment/Information for her SiriusXM show.

February 21, 2017: Adopted Haley Joy Kotb

On February 21, 2017, Hoda Kotb announced on Today that she had adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy Kotb.

November 29, 2017: Interim Co-Anchor of "Today"

On November 29, 2017, Hoda Kotb became the interim co-anchor of "Today" with Savannah Guthrie, following Matt Lauer's termination.

January 2, 2018: Named Co-Anchor of "Today"

On January 2, 2018, Hoda Kotb was named co-anchor of "Today" with Savannah Guthrie after Matt Lauer's termination.

2018: Main Co-Anchor of the "Today" Show

In 2018, Hoda Kotb became the main co-anchor of the NBC News morning show "Today".

2018: Released "I've Loved You Since Forever"

In 2018, Hoda Kotb released her children's book, "I've Loved You Since Forever", which was later adapted into a lullaby.

2018: Included in Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2018, Hoda Kotb was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

March 2019: Released "You Are My Happy"

In March 2019, Hoda Kotb released her children's book, "You Are My Happy", celebrating gratitude.

April 2019: Jenna Bush Hager Replaces Kathie Lee Gifford

In April 2019, Jenna Bush Hager succeeded Kathie Lee Gifford as co-host of Today's fourth hour, following Gifford's departure.

April 16, 2019: Adopted Hope Catherine Kotb

On April 16, 2019, Hoda Kotb announced she had adopted a second baby girl named Hope Catherine Kotb.

October 2019: Released "I Really Needed This Today"

In October 2019, Hoda Kotb released her sixth book, "I Really Needed This Today", which includes personal notes, quotes, and sayings.

November 25, 2019: Engaged to Joel Schiffman

On November 25, 2019, Hoda Kotb announced her engagement to Joel Schiffman live on Today.

2019: Daytime Emmy Award with Gifford

In 2019, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford were awarded a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host.

October 2020: Released "This Just Speaks to Me"

In October 2020, Hoda Kotb released "This Just Speaks to Me", a follow-up to "I Really Needed This Today" with additional reflections and anecdotes.

October 2021: Matrix Award

In October 2021, Hoda Kotb was awarded the Matrix Award.

January 31, 2022: Ended Engagement with Joel Schiffman

On January 31, 2022, Hoda Kotb announced that she and Joel Schiffman had ended their engagement and would focus on co-parenting as friends.

September 26, 2024: Kotb Announces Stepping Down From Role On Today

On September 26, 2024, Kotb announced that she was stepping down from having a role on Today in early 2025, and indicated she would continue with NBC in an unspecified role.

January 10, 2025: Last day on "Today"

On January 10, 2025, Hoda Kotb had her last day as co-anchor of the "Today" show.

2025: End of run as "Today" show co-anchor and co-host

In 2025, Hoda Kotb ended her run as main co-anchor of the "Today" show, a role she held since 2018, and as co-host of the entertainment-focused fourth hour, a role she held since 2007.