Hoda Kotb Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Family, Education, Career, and More

Hoda Kotb is a well-known American journalist, TV host, and author. Born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma, she has become a familiar face on morning television.

Kotb is best known for co-hosting the NBC News morning show “Today” and its fourth hour. She has a long career in journalism, starting from local TV stations and moving up to national networks.

Kotb has faced personal challenges, including breast cancer, which she openly shared with viewers.

Her warmth and positive attitude have made her a beloved figure in American media.

About Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb was born in Oklahoma but grew up in different places. Her family moved around a lot when she was young. They lived in West Virginia, Virginia, and even spent time in Egypt and Nigeria. This gave Hoda a chance to experience different cultures from a young age.

Kotb is tall, standing at 5 feet 9 inches. She has a warm smile that many viewers find comforting.

Although her parents were from Egypt, Hoda was raised in America and identifies as Christian. Her diverse background has helped shape her worldview and approach to journalism.

Growing up in various places likely helped Hoda become adaptable and open-minded. These traits have served her well in her career, allowing her to connect with people from all walks of life.

Her height and friendly appearance have also been assets in her television career.

Family Background

Hoda Kotb comes from a close-knit family with Egyptian roots. Her parents, Abdel Kader and Sameha Kotb, were immigrants from Egypt who came to the United States. This gave Hoda a unique blend of American and Egyptian cultures in her upbringing.

Hoda’s father, Abdel Kader Kotb, was a smart man who worked with fossil energy. He was even listed in the “Who’s Who of Technology,” which is like a big book of important people in science. Sadly, he passed away in 1986 when Hoda was still young, at only 51 years old.

Her mother, Sameha (nicknamed “Sami”), worked at the Library of Congress. This is a huge library in Washington, D.C., that has millions of books and documents. Having a mom who worked there probably helped spark Hoda’s love for learning and stories.

Hoda has two siblings: a brother named Adel and a sister named Hala. Growing up with siblings can be fun and challenging, and it likely helped shape Hoda’s personality. Having a brother and sister might have taught her how to get along with different types of people, which is a useful skill in her job as a TV host.

The Kotb family’s story is like many immigrant families in America. They came from another country, worked hard, and gave their children opportunities to succeed. This background has been a big part of shaping who Hoda is today.

Education

Hoda Kotb’s education played a big role in shaping her future career. She went to Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she was a popular student. Hoda wasn’t just good at her studies – she was also chosen as homecoming queen! This shows that she was well-liked by her classmates. She even got to speak at her class’s graduation ceremony, which is a big honor.

After high school, Hoda went to Virginia Tech for college. This is a big university known for its engineering programs, but Hoda chose to study broadcast journalism. This was the perfect choice for her future career in TV news. While at Virginia Tech, Hoda joined a sorority called Delta Delta Delta. Being in a sorority can help students make friends and learn leadership skills.

Hoda graduated from Virginia Tech in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism. This degree taught her the basics of how to be a news reporter and TV host. It covered things like how to write news stories, speak clearly on camera, and interview people.

Years later, in 2008, Hoda was invited back to Virginia Tech to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. This is a big deal and shows how successful she had become in her career. During her speech, she even played a song by the band Metallica, which was a fun surprise for the students!

Hoda’s education gave her the knowledge and skills she needed to start her career in journalism. It also helped her make connections and gain confidence, which are important for working on TV.

Career Milestones

Hoda Kotb’s career in journalism has been long and successful. She started right after college, working as a news assistant for CBS in Cairo, Egypt. This was a great first step, letting her use her journalism skills and connect with her Egyptian roots.

After that, Hoda worked at several local TV stations in the United States. She was a reporter in Illinois, then a weekend anchor in Florida. These jobs helped her learn the ins and outs of TV news. She got better at reporting stories, speaking on camera, and working with a team.

Her big break came when she moved to New Orleans to work at WWL-TV. She spent six years there, becoming well-known in the city. This job caught the attention of NBC News, who hired her in 1998 to work on a show called Dateline NBC. This was Hoda’s first national TV job, meaning people all over the country could see her reports.

In 2007, Hoda got a new job on the popular morning show Today. She hosted the show’s fourth hour, which was more relaxed and fun than the earlier news parts. A year later, she was paired with Kathie Lee Gifford, and they became a popular hosting duo.

Hoda’s biggest career move came in 2018 when she was named co-anchor of the main Today show. This made her one of the most important people in morning TV news. She and her co-host, Savannah Guthrie, were the first all-female anchor team in the show’s history.

In 2024, after a long and successful career, Hoda announced she would be leaving the Today show. She said she wanted to spend more time with her family, especially her young daughters.

Throughout her career, Hoda has shown that hard work and a positive attitude can lead to great success. She started in small TV markets and worked her way up to one of the biggest jobs in TV news.

Notable Works

Hoda Kotb isn’t just a TV host – she’s also an author! She has written several books for adults and even some for children. Her books often focus on inspiring stories and positive thinking.

Her first book, “Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee,” came out in 2010. It’s her autobiography, which means it tells the story of her own life. In this book, Hoda talks about her career in journalism, her battle with breast cancer, and her experiences working with Kathie Lee Gifford. The book became a bestseller, which means lots of people bought and read it.

Hoda’s next two books for adults were about people who faced big challenges in life and overcame them. These books share stories that can inspire readers to be strong when they face their own problems.

In 2018, Hoda tried something new – she wrote a children’s book! “I’ve Loved You Since Forever” was inspired by her experience of adopting her daughter. The book is about the love between parents and children. She wrote another children’s book the next year called “You Are My Happy.”

Hoda’s most recent books for adults are collections of inspiring quotes and stories. “I Really Needed This Today” and “This Just Speaks to Me” are meant to give readers a daily dose of encouragement.

Writing books has allowed Hoda to share her thoughts and experiences with people in a different way than she can on TV. Her books show that she cares about helping people feel good and stay positive, even when life is tough.

Awards and Recognition

Hoda Kotb has won many awards for her work in journalism and television. These awards show that she’s really good at her job and that other people in the TV and news world respect her work.

One of her first big awards was the Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002. This award is named after a famous news reporter and is given to people who do great work in TV and radio news. Winning this award is a big deal for any journalist.

Hoda has won several Gracie Awards. These awards are given to women who do outstanding work in media. She’s also won Headliner Awards, which recognize excellent reporting.

In 2006, Hoda and her team won a Peabody Award for a story they did on Dateline NBC. The Peabody Award is one of the highest honors in TV and radio. They won for a story called “The Education of Ms. Groves,” which must have been a really important and well-done report.

As part of the Today show team, Hoda has won several Daytime Emmy Awards. These are like the Oscars for daytime TV shows. In 2019, she and her former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford won a Daytime Emmy Award together for being great talk show hosts.

One of the coolest recognitions Hoda received was being named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2018. This list includes people from all over the world who are making a big impact in different fields.

All these awards and recognitions show that Hoda is not just popular with viewers, but also highly respected in her field. Her work has been consistently good over many years, and she’s made important contributions to journalism and morning TV.

Financial Status

Hoda Kotb has done very well for herself financially thanks to her successful career in television. Her job as a co-host on the Today show pays her a lot of money – about $7 million every year. This is a huge amount of money, but it’s actually less than what some other TV hosts make. For example, Matt Lauer, who used to host the Today show, made about $20 million a year.

Hoda’s net worth, which means the total value of everything she owns minus any debts, is estimated to be around $30 million. This includes money she’s saved from her salary, any investments she might have, and probably some money from her books and other projects.

These numbers are estimates. TV stars like Hoda don’t usually talk about exactly how much money they make or have. But we know it’s a lot compared to what most people earn.

Hoda’s wealth comes from years of hard work in her career. She started out at small TV stations where she probably didn’t make nearly as much money. But as she moved to bigger stations and then to national TV, her salary grew. Writing books has likely added to her income too.

Even though Hoda makes a lot of money, she’s known for being down-to-earth and relatable to her viewers. She often talks about normal, everyday things on her show, which helps people feel connected to her despite her wealth.

Relationships

Hoda Kotb’s personal life has had its ups and downs, just like many people’s. She was married once, to a man named Burzis Kanga. He was a tennis coach at the University of New Orleans. They got married in 2005, but their marriage only lasted for about three years. They got divorced in 2008.

After her divorce, Hoda was single for a while. Then, in 2013, she started dating Joel Schiffman. Joel works in finance in New York City. They were together for a long time and even got engaged in 2019. But in 2022, Hoda announced on her show that they had decided to end their engagement. She said they would remain friends and continue to raise their children together.

Speaking of children, Hoda became a mom later in life through adoption. In 2017, when she was 52 years old, she adopted a baby girl named Haley Joy. Hoda has talked about how becoming a mom changed her life and made her very happy. Two years later, in 2019, she adopted another daughter, Hope Catherine.

Hoda has been very open about her journey to motherhood. She’s talked about how she always wanted to be a mom, but thought she might have missed her chance. After surviving breast cancer, she wasn’t sure if she could have children. That’s why she decided to adopt.

On her show, Hoda often shares stories about her daughters and the joys of being a mom. She’s said that becoming a parent later in life has given her a new perspective and a lot of happiness.

Social Causes

Hoda Kotb is known for using her fame to help others and raise awareness for important causes. One cause that’s very personal to her is breast cancer awareness. Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and had to have surgery. She decided to share her story on TV, which was very brave. By talking openly about her experience, she helped many other people who were going through the same thing.

Since then, Hoda has continued to speak out about breast cancer. She encourages women to get regular check-ups and mammograms, which are special X-rays that can help find breast cancer early. She also participates in events and fundraisers to help raise money for breast cancer research.

Another cause Hoda cares about is pediatric cancer – that’s cancer in children. In 2015, she helped create a music video called “Truly Brave” to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research. The video featured kids who were fighting cancer, and it won a special award called a Webby Award.

Hoda is also passionate about adoption. As an adoptive mom herself, she often talks about her experience. She shares stories about adopting her daughters and how it has changed her life. By being open about her journey, she helps reduce stigma around adoption and shows that families come in many different forms.

When Hoda talks about these causes on her show or in interviews, she reaches millions of people. This helps spread awareness and can encourage others to get involved or seek help if they need it. Her personal experiences make her a powerful advocate for these causes.

Hoda’s involvement in these social causes shows that she uses her fame to make a positive difference in the world. She doesn’t just talk about these issues – she takes action to help. This has made her not just a popular TV host, but also someone who many people look up to as a role model.

Skills and Talents

Hoda Kotb has developed many skills and talents throughout her career in journalism and television. One of her strongest skills is public speaking. She’s very comfortable talking in front of cameras and large audiences. This skill helps her connect with viewers and make them feel like she’s talking directly to them.

Hoda is also a great interviewer. She knows how to ask questions that get interesting answers from her guests. Whether she’s talking to a celebrity or someone who’s been through a tough time, Hoda makes people feel comfortable sharing their stories.

Writing is another talent Hoda has. She’s written several books, including an autobiography and children’s books. This shows she can express herself well not just on TV, but also on paper.

One of Hoda’s most important skills is her adaptability. Morning TV shows cover all sorts of topics, from serious news to fun celebrity gossip. Hoda can switch between these different types of stories easily, always finding the right tone.

Many people say that Hoda is very empathetic. This means she’s good at understanding how other people feel. When she interviews someone who’s going through a hard time, she knows how to listen and show that she cares.

Finally, Hoda is known for her positive attitude. Even when she’s talking about sad or serious topics, she often finds a way to end on a hopeful note. This skill helps make her popular with viewers who like starting their day with someone cheerful.

All these skills and talents work together to make Hoda a successful TV host and journalist. They help her connect with her audience and do her job well, whether she’s reporting news or having a fun conversation with a guest.

Public Image

Hoda Kotb has built a very positive public image over her years in the spotlight. People often describe her as warm and friendly. When viewers watch her on TV, many feel like they’re listening to a friend rather than just a news anchor.

One big part of Hoda’s public image is that she’s very relatable. Even though she’s a famous TV star, she often talks about everyday things that regular people experience. She shares stories about her kids, her relationships, and her daily life. This makes people feel like they know her personally.

Professionally, Hoda is respected as a serious journalist. She’s covered important news stories and won awards for her work. But she’s also known for her ability to handle lighter topics and have fun on air. This mix of serious and fun makes her versatile and well-liked by different types of viewers.

Hoda’s personal brand is closely tied to positivity and inspiration. She’s open about the challenges she’s faced, like battling cancer and becoming a mom later in life. But she always focuses on the positive aspects of these experiences. This has made her an inspiration to many people who are going through tough times.

On social media, Hoda is quite active. She has many followers on Instagram and Twitter. She uses these platforms to share behind-the-scenes moments from her show, pictures of her family, and inspirational quotes. This helps her connect with fans even when she’s not on TV.

Overall, the public sees Hoda as authentic and down-to-earth.

People feel like what they see on TV is the real Hoda, not just an act. This authenticity is a big part of why she’s so popular and why many viewers feel connected to her.

Social Media Presence

Hoda Kotb is quite active on social media, especially on Instagram and Twitter. These platforms give her a way to connect with fans outside of her TV show.

On Instagram, Hoda’s username is @hodakotb. She has a lot of followers – about 1.6 million! On this platform, Hoda often shares pictures from her daily life. You might see photos of her with her co-workers on the Today show set, cute pictures of her daughters, or snapshots from her travels. She also posts inspirational quotes and messages, which her followers really seem to enjoy.

Hoda uses Twitter too, where her handle is also @hodakotb. On Twitter, she has around 1.2 million followers. Here, she often shares quick thoughts or comments about what’s happening on her show or in the news. She also retweets (shares) posts from other people that she finds interesting or important.

Both on Instagram and Twitter, Hoda interacts with her fans. She sometimes responds to comments or messages, which makes her followers feel connected to her.

Using social media helps Hoda stay in touch with her audience even when she’s not on TV. It also lets her show more of her personality and personal life than she can on her news show.

Final Words about Hoda Kotb

Hoda Kotb has had a remarkable career in journalism and television. From her early days as a local news reporter to becoming a co-anchor of the Today show, she has shown dedication, skill, and a warm personality that resonates with viewers. Her openness about personal challenges, like battling cancer and adopting children later in life, has made her relatable to many. Kotb’s work extends beyond TV, with her books and advocacy for various causes. As she steps away from her role on Today, she leaves behind a legacy of positivity, resilience, and excellence in broadcasting. Hoda Kotb’s journey serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with hard work and a positive attitude, one can overcome obstacles and achieve great success.