Hoda Kotb has embraced a brand-new lifestyle since stepping away from her longtime role on Today in January. 

After more than two decades with NBC, the beloved television personality made the decision to leave the fast-paced morning show to focus on spending more time with her family. 

Now, she’s encouraging one of her former co-stars to take a similar path.

Recently, veteran journalist Lester Holt announced that he would be stepping down from his position as the anchor of NBC Nightly News. 

Following the announcement, Hoda took to social media to share her thoughts—along with a playful suggestion for her former colleague.

Hoda’s Message to Lester Holt

Hoda posted a tribute to Lester on Instagram, celebrating his impressive tenure at the network while also nudging him toward a quieter, more family-oriented life.

“Lester! Hats off to a great run on NBC Nightly News! Now all that’s left is a move to the burbs… and a @toyota sienna minivan! Xx love you @lesterholtnbc. Xo,” she wrote.

Her message was a lighthearted nod to the major changes she has made in her own life since stepping away from Today. In her final months on the show, Hoda frequently spoke about her transition from city life to the suburbs, where she now enjoys a slower pace with her two daughters, Haley and Hope.

Embracing a New Chapter

Hoda made the decision to leave Today so she could dedicate more time to her young children, and she hasn’t looked back since. Trading in the hustle and bustle of New York City for a quieter suburban lifestyle, she now enjoys simple pleasures—like grocery shopping in her new minivan, something she has enthusiastically embraced.

“I love it! I got in there, I pushed the buttons… then I went to the grocery store,” she excitedly told her former Today co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, about her first time driving her minivan. “I love my minivan so much.”

Her new neighbors have taken notice, too, with some even reaching out to tease her about her newfound suburban mom status.

“Some of the neighbors are texting me, ‘Hey girl, saw your ride. You picking up the kids next time?’ Because I couldn’t drive the kids before—I had a little car,” she said, laughing.

Lester Holt’s Departure from NBC Nightly News

While Hoda has settled into her new routine, Lester Holt is also embarking on a fresh chapter of his own. After a decade as the lead anchor of NBC Nightly News, and 17 years with the program in total, he has decided to step away from the role.

In a heartfelt message to NBC staff, Lester reflected on his time at the helm of the evening newscast.

“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News,” he wrote. “It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.”

However, while he is leaving Nightly News, Lester isn’t stepping away from journalism altogether. Instead, he will be shifting his focus to Dateline NBC, where he will take on an expanded role.

“I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full-time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about,” he shared.

Lester expressed enthusiasm about working more closely with the Dateline team and continuing to build on the success of the long-running investigative series.

“I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places,” he added.

A New Beginning for Both Journalists

Hoda and Lester have both had extraordinary careers in journalism, and while they are now pursuing different paths, they share a common thread—prioritizing what matters most. For Hoda, that has meant more quality time with her daughters and embracing a slower, more fulfilling lifestyle. For Lester, it’s about deepening his focus on investigative storytelling and shifting gears in his career.

As Hoda humorously nudged Lester to consider making a move to the suburbs like she did, fans couldn’t help but appreciate the camaraderie between the two seasoned journalists. While it remains to be seen if Lester will trade in city life for a minivan, one thing is clear—both he and Hoda are stepping into exciting new chapters, ready to embrace whatever comes next.

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