Here are the telltale signs that hinted at Hoda Kotb's departure from 'Today' show

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On September 26, Hoda Kotb shocked fans of the 'Today' show with a heartfelt announcement.

The beloved host revealed that after years of gracing morning television screens, she would be stepping away from the iconic show.

In an emotional moment, Kotb shared the reasons behind her decision. "I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new," she said during her final appearance on the show.

Flanked by her co-hosts and longtime colleagues—Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Craig Melvin—Kotb reflected on her journey with the 'Today' show.

Hoda Kotb’s departure may have been in the works for some time

"I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, 'This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.' And I thought it can't get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on," she added, signaling that she was content with the decision she made.

Notably, a closer look at Kotb’s life reveals that her departure may have been in the works for quite some time, as per Nicki Swift.

In fact, there were a few subtle signs that hinted at her exit, particularly the influence of her two young daughters, Haley and Hope.

While many fans were caught off guard by Kotb’s announcement, the host herself seemed to have been reflecting on her future for some time.

One of the major driving forces behind her decision was her family, particularly her daughters.

"Obviously, I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time," Kotb candidly explained during her final appearance.

Her two adopted daughters, Haley, born in 2017, and Hope, born in 2019, have clearly been a significant part of Kotb’s life.

Raising young children while balancing a high-profile career in television is no easy feat, and Kotb felt the need to prioritize her time with them.

The 'Today' host had always been open about her journey to motherhood, including her decision to adopt her daughters with her former fiance, Joel Schiffman.

As she embraced the challenges and joys of being a working mother, Kotb realized that her daughters needed more of her presence.

Hoda Kotb’s decision to exit 'Today' show seemed to be set in motion during her Paris trip

Hoda Kotb’s decision seemed to be set in motion earlier this year when she took on a significant assignment for the 'Today' show—covering the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

This opportunity, while prestigious, was also a bittersweet moment for Kotb as it meant being away from her daughters for two weeks.

For working mothers like Kotb, the balance between career and family is often a delicate one, and her trip to Paris was no exception.

To cope with the emotional distance from her daughters, Kotb came up with a creative solution—a construction paper chain called 'Love You Loops'.

She explained this heartwarming gesture on the July 22 episode of 'Today with Hoda & Jenna', where she described how the loops helped her daughters keep track of the days until her return.

"I do a loop a day where we hide a little something like stickers or hair ties, and then they know how many days are left," she shared.

This anecdote not only showed Kotb’s deep love and care for her daughters but also hinted at her growing desire to spend more time with them.

Perhaps her experience in Paris made her realize that time with her family was becoming more precious than ever.