Former Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb has ushered in the new year by sharing a series of deeply moving quotes centred on hope, faith, and finding personal magic. The inspirational messages, written by poet Donna Ashworth, come after a significant year of professional transition for the beloved broadcaster, who stepped down from her flagship NBC role in early 2025.
Poetic Messages for a Hopeful New Year
Kotb took to social media to post the collection of quotes, which served as her reflective welcome to 2026. One passage focused on 'Faith', describing it as 'The space where no answers exist but your spirit meets hope and magic is made.' Another poignant line read: 'The magic is the spark that lights the bones of surviving, it is the glimmer that whispers, we are alive-ing.'
The mother-of-two also shared verses about believing in one's own worth and becoming a 'seeker of light' to extinguish internal darkness. Her followers were quick to respond with warmth and their own festive wishes, flooding the comments with messages of support and shared optimism for the coming year.
A Year of Personal and Professional Transition
This hopeful outlook follows a period of considerable change for Kotb. In January 2025, she concluded her long tenure as co-anchor of NBC's Today, passing the baton to Jenna Bush Hager. Despite leaving the daily show, the 61-year-old has remained a prominent figure with the network, co-hosting major events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the New Year's special, 'A Toast to 2025'.
On a personal note, the recent holidays marked her third Christmas as a single woman following her split from ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman in January 2022. The pair, who share two daughters—Haley Joy, eight, and Hope Catherine, six—postponed their wedding multiple times during the pandemic before ultimately calling off their engagement. In a heartwarming display of continued family unity, Kotb shared a festive Christmas snap in December 2025 featuring the whole family, including Schiffman, all wearing matching green pyjamas.
Passing the Torch and Words of Wisdom
The transition on the Today show was formalised in December 2025 when Jenna Bush Hager announced that Sheinelle Jones would become her permanent co-host after nearly a year of rotating guests. During the emotional announcement, Jones revealed that Kotb had personally called her with crucial advice.
'She gave me 45 seconds of just wisdom that changed me,' Jones said. 'She said, "remember this moment. You are going to talk about how this was a moment that changed your career, and it was the best decision for your kids, for you."' Kotb has also been promoting her latest book, 'Jump and Find Joy', which focuses on embracing change and overcoming self-doubt.
Through her curated quotes and public reflections, Hoda Kotb continues to champion a message of resilience and light as she navigates her own new chapter, inspiring her audience to do the same.
