61 And Thriving: Hoda Kotb's Age-Defying Career Shift And Her Next Big Chapter In 2025
Hoda Kotb: A Biographical Profile and Timeline
Hoda Kotb’s life and career trajectory is a powerful narrative of persistence, resilience, and late-in-life fulfillment. Her story is frequently cited as an inspiration for women navigating career changes, motherhood, and health challenges in their 50s and 60s.
- Full Name: Hoda Kotb
- Date of Birth: August 9, 1964
- Current Age (as of December 2025): 61 years old
- Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Parents: Sami Kotb and Abdel Kader Kotb (Egyptian immigrants)
- Education: Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, 1986)
- Major Career Milestones:
- 1998: Joined NBC News as a correspondent for *Dateline NBC*.
- 2007: Became co-host of the fourth hour of the *Today* show, initially with Kathie Lee Gifford.
- 2007: Diagnosed with and successfully treated for breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy. This experience became a turning point in her life.
- 2017 (Age 52): Adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy.
- 2018: Named co-anchor of the main *Today* show (replacing Matt Lauer).
- 2019 (Age 54): Adopted her second daughter, Hope Catherine.
- 2022: Announced her split from long-time fiancé, Joel Schiffman.
- 2024 (Age 60): Announced her impending departure from the *Today* show to pursue a new wellness career.
- January 10, 2025: Her cited final day as a main co-host of the *Today* show, closing a 27-year chapter with NBC.
- Children: Haley Joy Kotb (adopted 2017) and Hope Catherine Kotb (adopted 2019).
- Relationship Status: Single, co-parenting with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.
The 60s Career Pivot: Leaving the Today Show for Wellness
The biggest news surrounding Hoda Kotb’s age and career in late 2024 and early 2025 was her decision to step away from her prominent role on the *Today* show. She had been a fixture on the show for 17 years, co-hosting the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and later with Jenna Bush Hager, and serving as a main anchor since 2018. Her announcement in September 2024, shortly after her 60th birthday, was a major television event, where she candidly shared that the milestone age prompted a deep reflection on her life’s purpose.
Hoda’s final day as a main co-host was cited as January 10, 2025, marking the end of a 27-year tenure with NBC. This departure is not a retirement, but a dramatic shift toward a new professional focus: the wellness space. She revealed in early 2025 that she is launching a wellness company, a venture that allows her to focus on mental and emotional well-being—a topic she frequently explored on air.
This move is a powerful example of an individual in their 60s not slowing down, but rather re-channeling their energy into a passion project. It highlights a growing trend among successful professionals to prioritize personal fulfillment and impact over traditional career structures as they enter their later years. Her new focus leverages her personal journey of resilience, which includes a highly publicized battle with breast cancer in 2007, to inspire others.
A Motherhood Journey That Redefined Age
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Hoda Kotb's life in the context of her age is her journey to motherhood. She became a first-time mother at age 52, a time when many women have already finished raising their children, and a second-time mother at 54. Hoda adopted her daughter, Haley Joy, in 2017, and two years later, welcomed her second daughter, Hope Catherine, in 2019, both with her then-fiancé, businessman Joel Schiffman.
Hoda has been very open about her decision to pursue adoption later in life, often discussing how her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent inability to have biological children led her down an unexpected but profoundly rewarding path. Her story resonates deeply with older women and those who have faced fertility challenges, providing a beacon of hope that family dreams can be realized regardless of age or circumstance. She has frequently spoken about the joy and energy her daughters bring to her life, which she credits with keeping her feeling young and optimistic.
While her romantic relationship with Joel Schiffman ended in January 2022 after eight years and a three-year engagement, the two remain committed co-parents and friends. Hoda has publicly maintained a respectful and loving relationship with Schiffman, even expressing her continued love for him as a co-parent, emphasizing that their bond is now centered on their two daughters.
New Ventures and LSI Keywords: The Hoda Kotb Brand
Hoda Kotb’s professional brand extends far beyond the morning news desk. As she transitions into her 60s, her focus is shifting toward literature and the burgeoning wellness industry, solidifying her status as a multi-faceted media personality.
- Authorial Success: Hoda is a prolific author, known for inspirational books like *Where We Belong* and *I Really Needed This Today*. Her latest children's book, *Hope Is a Rainbow*, was released in March 2025, further cementing her connection to themes of hope, family, and optimism.
- Wellness Entrepreneur: The launch of her wellness company in 2025 is a major LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keyword for her brand. This venture is poised to leverage her credibility as a cancer survivor and a late-in-life mother to connect with audiences seeking positive life changes and mental health guidance.
- The Co-Host Legacy: Her career is intrinsically linked to her co-hosts. Her 11-year run with Kathie Lee Gifford on the 10 a.m. hour created the iconic "Hoda & Kathie Lee" brand. Since 2019, her partnership with Jenna Bush Hager has continued this legacy with "Hoda & Jenna," a dynamic that is frequently searched by fans.
Hoda Kotb’s journey into her 60s is a powerful demonstration of personal and professional reinvention. From a successful broadcast journalism career that began in local news and led her to the top of network television, to becoming a mother in her 50s and now a wellness entrepreneur, she continues to defy expectations. Her willingness to embrace change, even a major career shift at the age of 61, serves as a remarkable blueprint for living a life filled with purpose and hope, regardless of the date on your birth certificate.
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