CNN's Abby Phillip Says She Was 'So Happy' to See Hoda Kotb's Decision to LeaveToday: 'Courageous and Brave' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

At the 2024GlamourWomen of the Year Awards on Tuesday, Oct. 8,Philip discussed Kotb’s decision toexit theTodayshowafter 17 years with the program and 25 years total working for NBC. Kotb, 60, made the difficult decision following a year of personal challenges, including a medical crisis involving heryounger daughter Hope, 5, which the anchor declined to share out of privacy concerns.

“I totally felt that, and deep in my heart, I think so many of us did, because we sacrifice a lot to do these jobs, and they’re really important. And actually, they’re important for our kids to see that we are doing things out in the world,” Phillip tells PEOPLE. “But there is a time when it’s good to say, ‘I’ve done a lot, I’ve done good things, and it’s time for me to spend time with my family.’ "

“So I was so happy for her," Phillip continues, adding that she felt Kotb was “so courageous and brave, I think in that moment to make that decision.”

“And everybody wants to spin it however they want to,” Philip adds. “But I think that on a personal level, as a mother, every mother understands what that moment feels like.”

Hoda Kotb with daughters Hailey and Hope.Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Kotbshared in this week’s issue of PEOPLEthat Hope’s medical situation had improved, having moved Hope and big sister, Hailey, 7, from their Upper West Side apartment in Manhattan toa home in Westchester.“We’re in a place where Hope is thriving. She is improving, we’re watching her, and I think that as time goes on, we’ll have a better handle on it, but we’re already seeing great differences,” Kotb told PEOPLE. “We have really excellent care, I have people who are helping us out. I feel like she is finding steady footing.”

With Hope in Kindergarten and Hailey in second grade now, Kotb is acutely aware that time is flying.

“I knew that I wanted this decade to be different. I looked at my time like a pie,” she continued. “I was like, this is how much time I get, and now what am I going to do with it and how am I going to carve it up? And I wanted it to be filled with more ofthem.”

The veteran journalist also admitted a level of “guilt” contributed to the change.

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on ‘Today.'.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

“There’s the guilt you carry because you can’t be 100% at work and 100% at home,” she said. “Something has to give if you want excellence. If you’re going to be excellent at work, something has to give at home. And if you want to be excellent at home — I meanexcellentand do all the things — something has to give at work. It can’t be equal.”

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Kotb, who will stay in her current role until the beginning of 2025.

source: people.com