Katie Couric has remained in touch with Hoda Kotb following Kotb’s departure from the 

Today show, offering words of support and encouragement as her former colleague embarks on a new chapter in her life and career. “I’ve texted her a couple of times and told her I hope she was sleeping in,” Couric, 68, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, March 6. The 

veteran journalist reflected on her own experience leaving Today in 2006 after a 15-year 

tenure, during which she became one of the most recognizable faces in morning television. Couric’s departure marked a historic transition in her career as she moved on to become the anchor of CBS Evening News, making history as the first woman to serve as a solo anchor of a nightly network news broadcast.

“Someone was asking me earlier today about leaving the Today show,” Couric shared. “I think change and new challenges keep life interesting and exciting.” The former morning show host has long believed in the importance of reinvention and personal growth, sentiments she now extends to Kotb, who recently made the difficult decision to step away from her role on Today after many years in front of the camera.

For Couric, making the leap from Today to an evening news program was a significant transition, but one she embraced with enthusiasm. Looking back, she acknowledges that while certain jobs can be exciting, staying in one role for too long can sometimes lead to stagnation. “If you do something too long, it starts to feel stale no matter how exciting the job may be,” she explained. Couric emphasized that she was genuinely thrilled for Kotb, understanding firsthand what it means to step outside of one’s comfort zone in pursuit of new experiences.

“So I was excited for Hoda—having anchored the Today show for 15 years—to go and try new things and challenge herself and, you know, be in different venues. I’m really excited for her.” Couric’s words of encouragement highlight the deep sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that exists between veteran broadcasters who have navigated the fast-paced and often demanding world of television news.

In addition to professional growth, Couric acknowledged that life milestones often play a significant role in shaping one’s decisions. “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old because I started thinking about that decade, like, what does that decade mean? What does it hold? What’s it gonna have for me?” Couric recalled, referencing her own introspective journey. At the time, she felt an overwhelming realization that it was time to turn the page and embark on a new chapter, much like Kotb is doing now.

For Kotb, a major factor in her decision to leave Today was her desire to spend more quality time with her two young daughters, Haley and Hope, whom she shares with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. After years of juggling the demanding schedule of morning television with her responsibilities as a mother, she felt it was necessary to prioritize her children and create more balance in her life.

“I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking they deserve a bigger piece of my time, the pie that I have,” Kotb previously shared. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time. And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world.” The deeply personal nature of her decision resonated with many working parents, particularly those in high-profile careers, who struggle to balance professional ambitions with the desire to be present for their families.

Kotb’s departure has certainly left an impact on the Today show. An NBC insider exclusively revealed to Us Weekly that her exit was a “huge blow” for the series. “She’s the person that everybody loves,” the insider shared. “She’s the same off-camera as she is on-camera, and I think that’s what’s the hardest thing because that can’t be said for everybody.” Kotb’s warmth, authenticity, and ability to connect with both colleagues and audiences alike made her an invaluable presence on the show, making her absence all the more profound.

As for Couric, while she still tunes into Today on occasion, her viewing habits have changed significantly since her time as a co-anchor. She admitted to Us Weekly that she doesn’t watch the program as consistently as she once did.

“Honestly, in the morning I’m usually up and out. And to be honest with you, like so many people, I get a lot of my content digitally,” she explained. “So, I do, but not consistently, not like I used to, and not like I did when I was actually on it.” Her shift in media consumption reflects the changing landscape of news and entertainment, as more viewers turn to digital platforms rather than traditional television broadcasts.

Still, despite her reduced consumption of morning television, Couric remains connected to the world of journalism and continues to support her colleagues as they navigate career changes. Her encouragement for Kotb underscores a shared understanding of the complexities of transitioning from a long-standing role in media to something new and unfamiliar. Both women have built remarkable careers in television, and Kotb’s departure from Today—while bittersweet—marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with opportunities for growth, exploration, and deeper personal fulfillment.

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