### Kathie Lee Gifford Reacts to Hoda Kotb's Unexpected Departure from "Today" Show

Kathie Lee Gifford has expressed her feelings about Hoda Kotb's surprising decision to leave the "Today" show. On Friday, Gifford, 71, conveyed her sentiments via social media, sending heartfelt wishes to her long-term friend and past co-host.

"Bittersweet news as my dear friend @hodakotb steps away from the Today Show," Gifford posted. "Her warmth, laughter, and incredible spirit have brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts. Here's to new adventures!"

Gifford and Kotb, 60, co-hosted the fourth hour of "Today" from 2008 until Gifford departed in 2019. Even after Gifford's exit, the two have maintained a strong friendship, with Gifford making occasional appearances on the program.

Kotb's decision to exit the show has caught both viewers and colleagues off guard. Speaking on "Today," she revealed, "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new. I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, 'This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.' And I thought it can't get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on."

One of the primary reasons for Kotb's choice is her desire to spend more time with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. "Obviously, I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have," she 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."

Kotb, tearing up, admitted, "It's kind of a big deal for me. I've been practicing so I wouldn't cry, but anyway, I did." She will continue to host "Today" until early next year and will remain with NBC in a yet-to-be-specified role.

Kotb has had a notable career with NBC, starting in 1998 as a correspondent for "Dateline" and then moving to "Today" in 2008. In January 2018, she became an anchor for "Today's" first two hours alongside Savannah Guthrie. Post-Gifford's departure, Kotb continued to co-host the show's fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager, who joined in 2019.

In her heartfelt message, Gifford wished Kotb all the best, celebrating their enduring friendship and Kotb's significant impact on the show.