How Hoda Kotb Left the TODAY Show

Hoda has officially driven off into the sunset!

TODAY with Hoda & Jenna co-hosted her final episode with a message of gratitude and an eye toward the future.

In the last minutes of the program, she and Jenna Bush Hager were on stage with the entire show staff.

“This is our longtime staff, our incredible crew, our producers. They all came together. They’re all here together. This is the crew that when you walk into the room, they say ‘good morning,’ lift you up,” she said .

She also gave a special shoutout to the show’s executive producer, Talia Parkinson-Jones, who she called “the best hire that NBC made.”

Hoda, flanked by daughters Haley, 8, and Hope, 5, also reminded viewers to tune in to TODAY with Jenna & Friends starting Jan. 13.

Before the show officially ended, Hoda appeared behind the wheel of a car with her children in the back seat.

“Alright guys, are you ready for the next adventure?” she said as they cheered and she honked her horn.

Hoda then drove off while viewers got a look at the back of her car.

“Just repotted” read a banner, while cans hung from the bumper, just like these “Just married” signs hang from cars for newlyweds.

If you recall, “repotting” was the word Hoda used to explain her decision to leave TODAY.

“I love the term ‘repotting.’ It’s like you’re pulled up by your roots, your foundation, everything that gives you ground, and your roots are up in the air, and you’re scared. ‘Where am I going to land? ‘” she said on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in October, noting that she was quoting Maria Shriver.

Hoda’s words at her final show put an exclamation mark on the “Hoda bration,” which celebrated all things Hoda.

Earlier on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, her mom appeared in a video tribute while Gayle King stopped by, as did “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon and her former TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford. Jenna also read an emotional letter to Hoda, while Hoda also read an emotional goodbye letter, which she called a “thank you note.”

She also read a farewell letter and was treated to a performance by singer Walker Hayes.

Earlier in TODAY, the show looked back on her legacy, while Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles also stopped by, and “Dateline’s” Keith Morrison shared his memories of meeting Hoda, while Maria Shriver saluted her, as did Oprah Winfrey and Jamie Lee Curtis. . Hoda’s daughters also joined their mother as she was serenaded by Kermit the Frog singing “The Rainbow Connection.”

At the end of the 8 a.m. ET hour, Hoda made sure to express her gratitude to all the fans who turned out in her honor.

“Can I say thank you to every person who came out here?” she said.

“I read your cards. I have your bracelets. I have the scarves you crocheted. I read the lyrics. I got everything, so I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming out, for being here and for everything you did I love you.”

Hoda announced last September that she would be leaving TODAY after a 26-year career with NBC News.

While announcing her plan to leave TODAY, she said it was prompted by her desire to spend more time with Haley and Hope, and that came more into focus when she turned 60 last year.

“I realized it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” she said.

“Obviously I had my kids late in life and I thought they deserve a bigger slice of my time pie that I have,” she added. “I feel like we only have a limited amount of time.