Today, hosting legend Hoda Kotb announced that she will be leaving the show early next year after nearly two decades at the helm.

The 60-year-old longtime host shared the surprising update in a heartfelt message to her “Today family” live on air Thursday morning.

Hoda, who has been with NBC News for 26 years, was immediately moved to tears as she told her fellow co-anchors that her 60th birthday was a “monumental moment” that made her decide it was time to “try something new.”

The TV icon, who reportedly earns around $8 million a year, also wrote a letter to her colleagues explaining her “painful” decision and saying that celebrating her 60th birthday had sparked a seismic “change” in her life.

“As I write this, I am so shaken,” Hoda said. “I know I am making the right decision, but it is a painful one. And all of you are the reason for it. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I feel that so much right now. I love you guys and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

Today Show icon Hoda Kotb has announced she will be leaving the show early next year

“My time at NBC was the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you accompanied me on this 26-year adventure. Looking back, the math is crazy. 26 years at NBC News – ten years at Dateline, seven at seven, sixteen at ten.”

She continued, “I picture your faces and your families and all the ways you have built me ​​up and inspired me. That is my heart singing. Many of my professional relationships have become some of my most treasured friendships.”

She then paid a heartbreaking tribute to her “Ride or Die” show host Jenna Bush Hager, claiming she will “sorely miss” everyone she worked with on the popular morning show.

“Savannah: my rock,” she continued. “Jenna: my life’s work. Al: my oldest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you on TODAY terribly.”

The TV star added that she thought long and hard about the decision, continuing: “I’ve been weighing up this decision for quite a while – am I really ready? But my 60th birthday party at the Plaza felt like a turning point.”

“Like a huge, joyful YES, that’s you! I saw everything so clearly: my career in broadcasting has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life is ahead of me, and now my daughters and mom need and deserve a bigger piece of my time pie. I’m going to miss you all terribly, but I’m ready and excited.

“Since I will be working until early 2025, I still have plenty of time to talk about what lies ahead for all of us. But one thing I know for sure is that everything will be OK. The peacock never loses its composure… no matter who comes or goes. TODAY and its wonderful people – all of you – are never fooled. You always weather change with grace and courage.”

She concluded, “Happy and grateful, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest working relationship I have ever held dear. I will be there. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of me.”

During her emotional announcement on the show on Thursday, the star sobbed alongside her co-hosts

The 60-year-old longtime presenter shared the surprising update in a heartfelt message to her “Today family” live on air and in an email statement

During her emotional announcement on the show on Thursday, the star sat holding hands with her co-hosts and explained that her decision was largely due to her young daughters, seven-year-old Haley and five-year-old Hope.

She explained: “I had my children late in life and I think they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie, we just have an infinite amount of time.”

The tearful star apologized for crying and admitted that she had practiced her speech to avoid this outcome.

Her comments were immediately brushed aside by Savannah Guthrie, who expressed her mixed feelings about the news.

She began, “Hoda. We love you so much. And when you look around and see those tears, they are love. You are so loved.”

“We don’t want to imagine this place without you. So it’s complicated because we don’t want you to ever leave,” she explained. “But I just want to say I’m so proud of my friend, you have guts.”

Fans were quick to share their best wishes with the star as she begins her new chapter

She added: “When someone leaves at the peak of their career, leaving behind something wonderful that you love… where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun. But at the same time saying, ‘I’m dreaming even bigger dreams for myself.’ You have so much courage. You inspire me.”

Jenna sobbed as she warned her co-host that she would continue to come to her house “every day,” while Al Roker gushed that he’s “never known anyone like you.”

Hoda then promised that she would not remain a stranger, quipping: “You don’t leave your family, so I will be following you for a very, very long time in your life.”

The emotional presenter also took the time to thank the staff behind the camera and promised: “I will be getting a lot of hugs in the next few months.”

Fans immediately sent the star their best wishes as she began her new chapter.

On X, formerly Twitter, a viewer wrote: “Great performance. We will miss her very much. She is the best at what she does.”

Another added: “God bless you. The best is yet to come.”

Hoda hosted the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford from 2008 to 2019

“Damn I’m in tears,” tweeted one fan. “I used to watch every morning before work in NYC and when I moved to Berlin I continued watching after work.”

One fan commented: “Ohhhh I’m crying… Hoda it’s going to hurt not to see you today but I wish you all the best and hope the next chapters of your life are wonderful and fulfilling. Thank you for your coverage over the years. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for being you. Good luck darling.”

Hoda joined NBC in 1998 as a Dateline correspondent and became co-anchor of the fourth hour of Today in September 2007 alongside Ann Curry and Natalie Morales.

From March to April 2019, she worked with Kathie Lee Gifford in the news and alcohol department.

Elsewhere, Hoda recently spoke about her hopes of finding a life partner in the future after splitting from fiancé Joel Schiffman two years ago.

The star was in a relationship with New York financier Joel for eight years, but the couple decided to split in early 2022.

Hoda’s relationship with Joel began in 2013 and in November 2019, she announced her engagement live on Today.

However, on January 31, 2022, Hoda announced on “Today with Hoda & Jenna” that she and Joel had decided to end their engagement and focus on co-parenting as friends.

Hoda has two adopted daughters with Joel, and when she announced the split, she stressed that there was no animosity between them, saying they were “better as friends and parents.”