Hoda Kotb’s net worth is estimated at approximately $30 million as of 2026. The Egyptian-American broadcaster built her fortune over three decades in television journalism, culminating in a landmark run as co-anchor of NBC’s TODAY show alongside Savannah Guthrie. On January 10, 2025, Kotb stepped down from TODAY after six years as co-anchor — departing not to retire, but to shift gears: she signed a new NBC deal that will see her cover the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics while making monthly appearances on TODAY.
Hoda Kotb anchored NBC’s TODAY show for over 15 years, earning up to $20 million annually at her peak.
Walk Through the Article
Hoda Kotb Quick Facts
| Full Name | Hoda Kotb |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 9, 1964 |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American (Egyptian heritage) |
| Profession | Television News Anchor, Author |
| Net Worth | $30 Million (2026) |
| Partner | Single (formerly engaged to Joel Schiffman) |
| Known For | TODAY co-anchor (2018–2025); Olympic correspondent; breast cancer survivor |
Net Worth Breakdown
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC TODAY Co-Anchor Salary (peak) | $20M/year | Annual (personal) | Reported peak salary before January 2025 departure |
| New NBC Special Correspondent Deal | Est. $3–5M/year | Annual (personal) | Monthly TODAY appearances, Olympic coverage 2026 and 2028 |
| Books & Author Earnings | $2–4M cumulative | Cumulative | “Hoda: How I Survived War Zones…” and motivational books |
| Speaking Engagements | $200K–$500K/year | Annual (personal) | Corporate keynotes, media events, women’s conferences |
| Prior NBC Career (pre-co-anchor) | $8–10M cumulative | Cumulative | Dateline NBC, TODAY 4th hour years (2008–2018) |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | ~$30 Million (2026) | ||
Early Life & Education
Hoda Kotb was born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Egyptian parents who had immigrated to the United States. Her father worked as an economist and the family moved frequently during her childhood, living in Nigeria and Egypt before settling in Virginia. She grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia.
Kotb attended Virginia Tech, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism in 1986. She was interested in news from an early age, and her time at Virginia Tech helped her develop the skills that would take her to national television. After graduating, she began her career at local television stations in the South, starting at WXVT in Greenville, Mississippi, and later moving to WLTX in Columbia, South Carolina, before landing at WSVN in Miami.
Career at NBC and TODAY
Kotb joined NBC News in 1998 as a correspondent and anchor for Dateline NBC, the network’s long-running investigative newsmagazine. She covered major stories and quickly became known for her warm, compelling interview style and her ability to connect emotionally with subjects. In 2008, NBC expanded her role — she joined the TODAY show’s fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, forming a chemistry-rich midmorning pairing that became beloved by viewers for its spontaneous, often hilariously candid tone.
In January 2018, Kotb’s role changed significantly when she was asked to step in as co-anchor of the first and second hours of TODAY, replacing Matt Lauer, who had been terminated by NBC in November 2017 following sexual misconduct allegations. Initially filling in temporarily, Kotb was formally named co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie in May 2018 — a promotion that came with a dramatically increased salary and a higher profile role within the network.
After leaving TODAY, Kotb signed a new NBC deal to cover the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and 2028 LA Summer Olympics.
Kotb announced in October 2024 that she would step down from TODAY at the end of her contract, with her final day as co-anchor set for January 10, 2025. Her departure announcement drew widespread media attention and emotional farewells from colleagues, viewers, and guests. She was replaced as co-anchor by Craig Melvin, who joined Savannah Guthrie starting on that same date.
Personal Life
Kotb’s personal life has been marked by both profound challenges and joys she has shared openly with viewers. In 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. She spoke publicly about the experience and has since been an advocate for cancer awareness.
Kotb adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy, in February 2017, and her second daughter, Hope Catherine, in April 2019, as a single parent. She was engaged to financier Joel Schiffman, but the couple ended their engagement in January 2022. She has raised her daughters as a single mother and has spoken frequently about the experience of motherhood on TODAY and in public appearances.
Kotb has adopted two daughters — Haley Joy and Hope Catherine — and has raised them as a single mother.
Little-Known Facts About Hoda Kotb
- Her name “Hoda” means “guidance” in Arabic — a nod to her Egyptian heritage, which she has embraced throughout her career.
- She covered conflict zones in Iraq and other international hotspots early in her career at Dateline NBC, long before she was known as a morning show personality.
- She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and underwent a mastectomy, which she later discussed in her memoir — an experience that she credits with transforming her perspective on life.
- She and Kathie Lee Gifford famously drank wine on the fourth hour of TODAY, making the segment one of the most-discussed and imitated in morning television history.
- She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in broadcast journalism and has remained connected to the university, which named a scholarship after her.
How Hoda Kotb Built Her Estimated $30 Million Fortune
The bulk of Hoda Kotb’s estimated $30 million net worth was earned during her decades on the NBC payroll. For most of her run as co-anchor of TODAY, her reported compensation climbed steadily, and by the early 2020s — when she was anchoring the flagship news hours and co-hosting the 10 a.m. “Hoda & Jenna” hour with Jenna Bush Hager — industry outlets pegged her total pay at roughly $20 million a year. That salary, sustained across multiple contract cycles, is the single largest contributor to her wealth.
Kotb’s income has never come from broadcasting alone. She is a repeat New York Times best-selling author, with memoirs and inspirational titles including “Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee,” “Ten Years Later,” and “I Really Needed This Today,” plus children’s books built around her “You Are My Happy” brand. Book advances, royalties, paid speaking engagements, and brand partnerships have layered additional earnings on top of her network salary over the years.
Hoda Kotb’s Career: From Local Reporter to TODAY’s Marquee Anchor
Long before she was a household name, Kotb spent years grinding through local news jobs across the South, reporting for stations in Mississippi and later for CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans. That local-news foundation led to a national role when she joined NBC’s newsmagazine “Dateline” in 1998, where she spent roughly a decade as a correspondent.
Her profile changed dramatically in 2008 when she joined Kathie Lee Gifford to co-host the fourth hour of TODAY, a looser, personality-driven block that became appointment viewing. A decade later, in January 2018, NBC named Kotb co-anchor of TODAY’s flagship morning news hours alongside Savannah Guthrie — making them the first female duo to anchor the program. In 2019 she added the “Hoda & Jenna” hour with Jenna Bush Hager, cementing her as one of the most visible personalities in American morning television.
Hoda Kotb’s Net Worth Over Time
Kotb’s wealth tracked the trajectory of her NBC career. When she was elevated to TODAY co-anchor in 2018, her salary was reported at around $8 million a year. As her responsibilities expanded across multiple hours of programming, that figure roughly doubled, reaching a reported peak near $20 million annually by the early 2020s. Those peak-earning years are what carried her estimated net worth into the $30 million range widely cited in 2026.
Her decision to step away from daily anchoring in January 2025 will reshape her income going forward, trading a guaranteed network salary for a more flexible mix of projects — but it does not erase the fortune accumulated over nearly three decades at NBC.
What’s Next for Hoda Kotb After TODAY
Kotb announced in October 2024 that she would leave TODAY, and her final regular broadcast aired January 10, 2025. Rather than a clean break from NBC, she signed a new agreement that keeps her tied to the network for special assignments, including Olympic coverage, along with periodic TODAY appearances. Freed from a daily pre-dawn call time, she has signaled plans to focus on her two daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, and to pursue projects around wellness and personal growth — the themes that have anchored her books and public speaking. For a broadcaster who has repeatedly turned life milestones into best-selling content, the post-TODAY chapter looks less like retirement than a pivot.
Also Read
- Savannah Guthrie Net Worth 2026: NBC’s Franchise Anchor
- Al Roker Net Worth 2026: NBC TODAY’s Weather Legend
- Lester Holt Net Worth 2026: NBC Nightly News Anchor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hoda Kotb’s net worth in 2026?
Hoda Kotb’s net worth is estimated at approximately $30 million in 2026. Her wealth was built primarily through her long career at NBC, including her peak salary of around $20 million per year as TODAY co-anchor. After stepping down in January 2025, she signed a new NBC deal for Olympic coverage and monthly TODAY appearances.
Why did Hoda Kotb leave TODAY?
Hoda Kotb announced in October 2024 that she was leaving TODAY to focus on her family and pursue new opportunities. She cited the desire to spend more time with her two adopted daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, as a central reason. Her departure became effective January 10, 2025. She has since signed a new NBC deal for special assignments including Olympic coverage.
Is Hoda Kotb married?
Hoda Kotb is not currently married. She was previously engaged to financier Joel Schiffman, but the couple ended their engagement in January 2022. She has raised her two adopted daughters — Haley Joy (adopted 2017) and Hope Catherine (adopted 2019) — as a single mother.
Did Hoda Kotb have cancer?
Yes. Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and underwent a mastectomy. She discussed her diagnosis and treatment publicly and has been an advocate for breast cancer awareness ever since. She later wrote about the experience in her memoir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mGb5KCCR48
