Hoda Kotb moved audiences as she revealed what she misses most after leaving Today — and it’s not the spotlight. Amid the quiet moments of everyday life, a particular emptiness has begun to linger in the heart of the veteran host. The story behind her decision to step away from the iconic show has unexpectedly touched millions.

When Hoda Kotb announced her departure from NBC’s Today show five months ago, it wasn’t with a dramatic farewell or teary final segment. Instead, it was with grace, gratitude, and the quiet anticipation of a new chapter. Now, as she settles into life beyond morning television, Kotb is opening up about what she truly misses—and surprisingly, it’s not the spotlight.

The 60-year-old journalist and beloved co-anchor of Today has long been a familiar face in American homes. Her warmth, authenticity, and infectious laugh were a daily comfort to millions. But as she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive cover story, leaving the show has created a kind of void that even her exciting new ventures haven’t fully filled.

What Hoda Kotb Misses Most After Leaving Today (Exclusive)

“I miss walking into a room and having an instant daily connection that you don’t have to put on a calendar,” Kotb shares. “I saw Savannah [Guthrie] and Jenna [Bush Hager] every day, without fail, and we shared our lives. It’s so funny. It’s not the work part of it, but I miss that a lot. It’s like an empty space for me.”

Her words have resonated deeply with fans, especially those who understand that some of the hardest parts of letting go are not the roles we leave behind, but the people, the rituals, and the rhythm of connection.

Though she’s no longer anchoring live television each morning, Kotb isn’t exactly slowing down. She’s been investing her energy into a new venture: Joy 101, a wellness-focused platform that includes a mobile app, live events, and a subscription newsletter. The company centers around mindfulness, wellness, and, most importantly, joy—a value Kotb has always held close.

“On the very first day, I was scribbling in my journal and feeling a little off,” she recalls. “There was a big, huge, full moon and it was so bright in my office, it was like a light was on. I still remember looking up and Haley [her daughter] scampered down the stairs and jumped in my lap. She looked at me and said, ‘You really are here.’ It was really, really beautiful.”

It’s these simple, grounding moments that inspired Kotb to create Joy 101. The experience of being present for her daughters, Haley, 8, and Hope, 6, reminded her of what matters most. In the whirlwind of morning shows, breaking news, and public life, those sacred pauses had become rare.

Why Hoda Kotb Is Leaving 'Today' After 17 Years

Still, there are unmistakable traces of longing in her words. In one poignant recollection, Kotb describes having coffee with Savannah Guthrie just over a week ago. “We laughed, we cried, we held hands,” Kotb says. “She asked me, ‘Tell me what it’s like on the other side.’ And I said, ‘I’ll tell you what I miss: I miss this.’”

Guthrie feels the same way. “I’ve missed her giggle so much,” she tells PEOPLE. “She could really walk in a room, giggle, and everything in the world just fades away.”

Despite her departure, Kotb has made several trips back to Rockefeller Center. She continues to record her podcast Making Space from the Today offices, and recently surprised viewers by co-hosting an hour with Jenna Bush Hager. “Every time I walk in, I feel warm and fuzzy,” she says. “It’s not like when you break up with someone and you’re like, ‘Oh God, there he is!’ I don’t feel that. I want to see everybody.”

She’s even taken joy in seeing new promotional images of the current hosts: “The pictures are now Craig [Melvin] and Savannah. I like looking at them. I’m not like, ‘Well that was quick!’”

Her graceful transition has been a masterclass in reinvention. Rather than clinging to a role out of fear of losing relevance, Kotb chose to follow the quiet call of a more intentional life. But as fans now understand, the decision was not without emotional complexity.

What Hoda Kotb Misses Most After Leaving Today (Exclusive)

There is something universally moving about someone so successful admitting to a sense of loss—not for fame or career accolades, but for human connection. In a world obsessed with constant motion and reinvention, Hoda Kotb’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to miss the small things. That even joy can come with a shadow of longing. And that letting go doesn’t mean forgetting what we love most—it just means learning to carry it differently.

As Kotb steps fully into this next chapter, millions continue to root for her—not just because she brought them the news, but because she did so with unmatched humanity. And that, perhaps, is what they’ll miss most.

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