Secret Meaning Behind Hoda Kotb’s Necklace He Wore During Today Show Exit Bombshell

Hoda Kotb shocked the nation when she announced she was leaving the Today show, and the longtime host wore a very special piece of jewelry as she made the emotional announcement.

The mother of two, 60, broke down in tears on Thursday morning as she told her loyal viewers that she would be stepping down in early 2025 to give “a larger portion of her time” to her daughters Haley, seven, and Hope, four.

And while she shared the devastating news, the TV icon had a part of her two girls close to her heart.

Hoda wore a gold necklace with an M pendant on it during the emotional segment, something she previously revealed was dedicated to her children.

When co-host Jenna Bush Hager asked her in January 2022 about the meaning of the sparkling piece of jewelry, she explained, “M is for mom.”

Hoda Kotb shocked the nation when she announced she was leaving the Today show, and the host wore a special piece of jewelry when she made the announcement

At the time, the acclaimed journalist explained that she wore it, along with two other necklaces, almost every day.

“I have “Haley” and “Hope” on (one more). Then I added an “I love you, Mom” to it,” she added. “They are all (for) my girls.”

Hoda noted that it was an honor to call herself “mom,” explaining, “The M is so me.”

“That would be the initial I would want to wear if not my children’s initials. ‘Cause who would have thought I would wear that initial?’

The outgoing Today host previously said she believed for years that parenthood would never be an option for her.

The star, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42, was unable to conceive after treatment.

She and her now-ex Joel Schiffman adopted Haley in 2017, followed by Hope in 2019; They separated in 2022.

Hoda, who has been a part of NBC for 26 years, became emotional when she shared the news that she was leaving “Today” during a live broadcast on Thursday.

Hoda, 60, broke down in tears Thursday morning as she told her loyal viewers that she would be stepping down in early 2025 to give her daughters “a larger portion of her time.”

Hoda wore a gold necklace with an M pendant on it during the emotional segment, something she previously revealed was dedicated to her children

She explained to her co-hosts that her 60th birthday felt like a “monumental moment” and ultimately convinced them that it was time to “try something new.”

The TV icon, who reportedly earns around $8 million a year, read a letter to her colleagues explaining her “painful” decision.

“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” she said. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful decision.”

“And you all are the reason why.” They say two things can be right at the same time, and I feel that so deeply right now.

“I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.” My time at NBC was the longest professional romance of my life.

“But only because you accompanied me on this 26-year adventure.” Looking back, the math is crazy.

“Twenty-six years at NBC News – ten years at Dateline, seven at seven, 4 at ten.”

“I imagine your faces and your families and how you have lifted me up and inspired me.”

“This is my heart singing.” “So many of my professional relationships have become my most treasured friendships.”

She explained that she felt a “change” after her 60th birthday.

“My broadcasting career has been more than meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead of me and now my daughters and my mother need and deserve a bigger piece of my time,” she explained. “I will miss you all dearly, but I am ready and excited.”

Hoda told her co-hosts and viewers that a significant part of her decision came down to her young daughters.

She explained: “I had my children late in life and I think they deserve a bigger piece of my time, we just have infinite time.”

When co-host Jenna Bush Hager asked her about the meaning of the sparkling jewelry in January 2022, she explained, “M is for mom.” She was seen with her daughters

“The M is so me,” she said. “That would be the initial I would want to wear if not my children’s initials. ‘Cause who would have thought I would wear that initial?’

The longtime host added that she will “remain a part of the NBC family” and concluded, “How could I not?” “Family is family, and you will always be a part of me.”

A source subsequently told DailyMail.com exclusively that her daughters were certainly the driving force behind her decision to leave the show, but they weren’t the only factor.

The insider claimed that Hoda was inspired to leave after seeing how much her former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, 71, has accomplished since stepping down.

“Yes, it’s about her girls and being able to walk them to school, but she’s also seen how rich life has been for Kathie Lee Gifford since she quit – she’s had a boyfriend, written a play, books, Music, she even wrote and starred in a film,” the insider said.

Despite her close friendship with co-host Jenna, the insider also claimed that the TV host always felt like she never quite captured the chemistry she shared with Kathie Lee.

Hoda co-hosted Today’s Fourth Hour with Kathie Lee from 2008 to 2019, with the pair delighting fans with their news and alcohol desk antics. She was replaced by Jenna, 42.

“After Kathie Lee left, things were never the same – they had the best chemistry between them on the show,” the source explained.