Hoda Kotb is a well-known American journalist, TV host, and writer. She is one of the main anchors on the Today show for NBC News and also co-hosts the fourth hour, which focuses on entertainment. In the past, Kotb worked as a correspondent for the TV news program, Dateline NBC.
Early Life & Education
Hoda Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma on August 9th, 1964. Her parents, who were Egyptian-born Muslims, moved frequently during her childhood, resulting in Kotb and her siblings spending time in Morgantown, West Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia.
During her childhood, Hoda also resided in countries such as Egypt and Nigeria. Her mother is employed at the Library of Congress and her father was a specialist in fossil energy until his death at the age of 51.
In 1982, Hoda Kotb was a charming student who rose to fame as homecoming queen during her high school years. It was clear that Hoda Kotb had a strong sense of direction, as she went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism at Virginia Tech, graduating in 1986.
Hoda Kotb Career
Hoda Kotb’s professional journey began at CBS, where she joined a local station in Greenville, Mississippi. She later switched to ABC and worked in Illinois during the 1980s, before returning to CBS for a more prominent position as a reporter and anchor.
She then moved to Florida and remained with CBS until the early 1990s. The majority of the 1990s saw Kotb as an anchor for CBS, this time in New Orleans. It was during this time that she developed a strong affection for the city and its one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
In 1998, Hoda Kotb’s career took a significant turn when she joined NBC, the network that would ultimately lead to her significant recognition and accomplishments. She began working as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and various other programs under NBC News.
In 2007, Kotb reached a significant milestone as she made her debut as a host on Today, which coincided with the launch of a brand new 10 AM segment. For the next 10 years, from 2008 to 2018, she co-hosted the fourth hour of the morning show with Kathy Lee Gifford.
In 2018, she took over as co-host on Today following Matt Lauer’s termination due to allegations of sexual harassment. She now shares the anchor role with Samantha Guthrie, making them the first female pairing to lead the show since its beginning in 1952.
Throughout her career in journalism, Kotb has been honored with a Peabody Award, two Emmys, and numerous other accolades.
Hoda Kotb is a well-known author who has written several books, one of which was a bestseller in 2010. This autobiography, titled Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee, recounts her personal experiences.
She has also written three other books that largely revolve around uplifting tales and her own life. Besides non-fiction works, Kotb has also written two children’s books.
Personal Life
Hoda Kotb tied the knot with Burzis Kanga, a former tennis coach at the University of New Orleans, in 2005. Unfortunately, their marriage came to an end in 2008.
Later, in 2013, Kotb began dating Joel Schiffman, a financier from New York. During a live broadcast on Today on November 25, 2019, Kotb excitedly shared with viewers that she and Schiffman were engaged.
Kotb revealed on the Today show (Hoda & Jenna) on January 31, 2022, that she and Schiffman had called off their engagement and would prioritize their friendship as co-parents.
Kotb revealed in 2017, that she had welcomed a baby girl, who she had adopted and named Haley Joy Kotb. She later announced on April 16, 2019, through a phone call on Today, that she had adopted another baby girl, whom she named Hope Catherine Kotb.
Net Worth
Hoda Kotb, a TV news anchor and host of Egyptian-American descent, has a net worth of $30 million. Her most recognized position is as the lead co-anchor for NBC’s Today morning show, and she also has a background with NBC’s Dateline. Kotb has been the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her time in journalism and is also a successful writer.
