What Hoda Kotb REALLY thinks of her Today show co-hosts past and present from Matt Lauer to Savannah Guthrie

Hoda Kotb has built several meaningful friendships with her Today show co-stars over the course of her nearly three-decade career at NBC News — and will no doubt cherish them long after she’s gone.

The host, 60, is preparing to leave the network with her final episode airing on Friday, January 10.

And as she focuses on raising her two young daughters, Hope and Haley, she leaves a huge Hoda-shaped hole in Studio 1A that will no doubt be felt across the board.

Ahead of her departure, Hoda recently reflected on her “core” friendship group and what they mean to her.

“You want to be around people who are expanding and curious and trying to make the world a little better and thinking beyond their own little world,” she told Today.

As she prepares to say her final goodbyes, DailyMail.com looks at Hoda’s friendships with her esteemed Today Show colleagues, past and present.

Savannah Guthrie

Hoda joined Savannah Guthrie on the Today show after disgraced host Matt Lauer was fired in 2017, and the pair quickly formed a close friendship.

In 2022, Savannah, 53, praised her co-host during a celebration of the show at The Paley Center.

About Hoda replacing Matt, she said, “All I know was that in that moment, it felt like I could have drowned if Hoda hadn’t reached down and grabbed my hand.”

“I will always say she completely saved the show,” she added.

“And holding her hand and saying, ‘We’re going to do this together,’ meant the world to me. I don’t think I had the confidence on my own.’

Hoda revealed during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in December that Savannah had a brash three-word response to her work news.

She said, “I called Savannah, who was out of the country, and I said, ‘I have something to tell you.’ She says, ‘This sounds scary.'”

Hoda continued, “It’s not. I’m going to, you know, say goodbye in January.”

The host then revealed the surprising and brash response Savannah gave her.

“She said to me, ‘I’m going to tell you something now.’ And I said, “Okay.” She said – these are her words – she says, ‘You’ve got balls.’

Savannah added, “I will be sad for myself and for our show later, but not today. Today is the day I say, wow, you’re doing it.’

Jenna Bush Hager

Hoda and Jenna have formed an unbreakable bond since hosting the fourth hour of the Today show in 2019.

Throughout their time together, they have delighted audiences with their undeniable chemistry.

In recent years, Hoda has shown her love for Jenna, 43, by sending secret signals during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

They also don’t shy away from playfully making fun of each other.

Last year, for example, Hoda poked fun at her Today cohost when she teased her about the “really weird” childhood obsession she didn’t grow out of until she was 22.

Of course, Jenna struggled to fight back tears on the Today show after Hoda revealed her departure.

The mum-of-three cried as she jokingly warned the TV legend that she would visit her house ‘every day’ and become her ‘stalker’.

“I’m going to show up at your house like the stalker you are to Zac Brown,” she joked through tears.

“I will be at your door, and we will be your friends forever.”

And in a recent interview with People, Jenna continued to swoon over Hoda.

“I love Hoda,” she said. ‘She’s the best partner. She has been the most generous partner and we are really good friends.

‘The thought of her being gone is almost too much to bear.

‘I have of course had months to do this, although I cannot promise that our last ‘Hoda-bration’ will not be filled with tears.

“I’m sure it’s just because I can’t do anything about it.”

Kathie Lee Gifford

Before Hoda and Jenna, there was Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford.

The iconic duo hosted the fourth hour of the show from 2008 to 2019.

Sadly, their professional partnership came to an end when Kathie, 71, announced in December 2018 that she would be stepping down as co-anchor after 11 years.

“I have something to share with everyone,” she said at the time. “It’s as bittersweet as these things always are, but I’ve been here almost 11 years. Thought I would stay for a year.

“Something happened along the way and I fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess and when it’s our 11th anniversary, I’m leaving the Today show.”

Although the duo are fast friends, their presenting partnership was not without its challenges.

In 2022, Hoda revealed on Watch What Happens Live that Kathie accidentally revealed personal information on live television without her consent.

Speaking to host Andy Cohen, she said Kathy told the audience she was getting divorced during an awkwardly timed Valentine’s Day episode.

“Kath did it, she threw a huge grenade once,” she said. “I told her I had been married before and I met my husband on Valentine’s Day and I got divorce papers on Valentine’s Day and it was Valentine’s Day.”

Once Hoda and Kathie Lee arrived on set, which was decorated with flowers to celebrate Valentine’s Day, her co-host dropped her bombshell.

‘We’re going to the set. It’s all decorated with flowers and hearts and stuff, and I say, “Good morning! Happy Valentine’s Day!” And she looks at me and says, “Not for you!” she shared.

“I say, ‘What are you doing?’ But I remember the grenade fell right on the table. I didn’t know what to do,” she continued. “I was so new, I didn’t know what to say. I say, “That was a make-up room chat. That wasn’t for here, because we’re happy here.”

Her story seemed to suggest she was referring to her 2008 divorce from Burzis Kanga, which is said to have occurred during her second year as host of Today’s late hour and the first year of Kathie Lee joining her.

Kathy acknowledged Hoda’s departure on social media shortly after the announcement was made in September.

Speaking to X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time, she said: “Bittersweet news as my dear friend @hodakotb leaves the Today Show.

“Her warmth, laughter and incredible spirit brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts. On to new adventures!’

Al Roker

Everyone’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker, has been with NBC as long as Hoda.

Al, 70, is good friends with Hoda and her family and has built a great bond with her two daughters Hope and Haley.

On several occasions, the beloved host has taken on the role of uncle and kept Hoda’s daughters company while their mother was hard at work on the show.

Last year, Al held Haley and Hope’s hands as they waved to their mother as she sat behind the news desk.

‘We’re not saying goodbye. We just say, ‘We’ll see you later.’”

He added: “She’s still there and it’s not like she’s leaving, leaving. She’s just transitioning, so it’s all good.”

Matt Lauer

Hoda is still in talks with her disgraced Today show predecessor, Matt Lauer.

Matt, 67, was fired by NBC in 2017 after it was reported that he had allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.

In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hoda confirmed that she still hears from him.

“Yes, we keep in touch with him,” she said. “I mean, look, this is one of those complex situations.

“I’ve known him since I started working at NBC [in 1998]. When I had breast cancer, he was the first to call.

“He helps and assisted in a way that… you know, he was incredible in that way. There’s that Matt and then there’s the Matt the prosecutors are talking about.

“And the voices of those accusers matter and that story matters and it’s… It’s still hard, right?”