Hoda Kotb Sends Inspiring Message on Life After 50 Following Major Career Move

Michelle Stein June 28, 2026, 12:00 pm

What To Know

Hoda Kotb shared that her most significant personal and professional achievements occurred after turning 50.
She discussed leaving her full-time role on Today in January 2025 to launch a wellness company, Joy 101, embracing a new CEO role in her 60s.
Kotb emphasized that life opportunities are not limited by age, highlighting the success of women over 50 in media.

Former Today co-host Hoda Kotb sent an empowering message on life after 50 following a major career move.

While speaking at Axios House during the Cannes Lions festival, Kotb, 61, opened up about how her greatest achievements came after her fifth decade.

“All of my blessings, all of them, came after 50. Every single one,” she explained, noting that she adopted her “beautiful kids,” Haley, 9, and Hope, 7, after turning 50. She added, “I got the job I dreamt of on the Today show with Savannah [Guthrie] after 50. Everything happened then.”

Additionally, Kotb addressed her decision to leave Today and start a wellness company, Joy 101.

The journalist pointed out, “Isn’t it crazy how sometimes you think, ‘Did I miss my window?’ And then I realized, at least for me, that things happen right on time. I’m starting a new business as a CEO — I am learning to be in that role in my 60s. So it just shows you, like, life is wide open. You decide if it’s over or not. And nobody’s timeline matters. Nobody’s.”

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Kotb went on to point out that many main female anchors at major networks are over 50 or 60, naming Gayle King, Robin Roberts, and Guthrie as examples.

“When I think about starting this new company, I call it, it’s sort of like re-potting,” she explained. “It’s like someone grabs you by the roots, pulls you up, and your roots are like dangling in the air. After the Today show, I was like, ‘I’m dying, I’m dying!’ and then all of a sudden, you get planted in this mineral-rich soil of a new adventure. And you’re like, ‘Oh my God. Wow!’ and all of a sudden, you feel stronger. You feel growth in places you didn’t know about.”

Although she has returned to Today several times to fill in or in a guest capacity, her last day as a full-time Today host was on January 11, 2025. Kotb has since launched a podcast, Joy 101, as part of the lifestyle brand, in addition to a mobile app, live events, wellness courses and retreats, and more.