Hoda Kotb‘s two young daughters were the driving force behind her decision to quit the Today show after nearly two decades – but they weren’t the only factor.

Despite her close friendship with co-host Jenna Bush Hager, the TV anchor, 60, always felt they never quite captured the chemistry she shared with former host Kathie Lee Gifford, 71, insiders have exclusively told DailyMail.com.

Fans were left devastated on Thursday morning when mother-of-two Hoda tearfully announced she will officially step down early next year after 17 years on the flagship show and nearly three decades at NBC.

There was reportedly ‘no amount of money’ that she would accept to change her mind because she’s looking forward to spending more time with Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, as well as grabbing the ‘rich’ opportunities – including potentially finding a new man – that Kathie Lee has enjoyed since she quit in 2019.

‘Yes, it’s about her girls and being able to walk them to school but also, she’s seen how rich a life Kathie Lee Gifford has lived since quitting – she’s had a boyfriend, written a play, books, music, she even wrote and starred in a movie,’ the insider said.

+8
View gallery

Hoda Kotb’s young daughters were the driving force behind her decision to quit the Today show after nearly two decades – but they weren’t the only factor, insiders have told Daily Mail

+8
View gallery

Despite her close friendship with cohost Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb always felt the chemistry was never quite the same as when she presented alongside Kathie Lee Gifford , 71

‘Kathie Lee is happier than ever before.’

While Hoda didn’t mention her former co-anchor during her shock announcement, a second source claimed Kathie Lee’s exit inspired Hoda’s decision.

‘It was never really the same after Kathie Lee left – they had the best chemistry together on the show,’ the insider explained. ‘Hoda adores Jenna of course, but the reality is Jenna is not a seasoned veteran like Hoda is.’

The insider continued: ‘Jenna has had some unfortunate on-air blunders and had to issue apologies to their celebrity guests.

‘Hoda held her hand through all of that, and would constantly reassure her, and they have become close, almost like a mom and daughter duo at work. Jenna has looked up to Hoda like a mentor.’

Hoda hosted Today’s fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee from 2008 until 2019, with the pair delighting fans with their antics on the news and booze desk. She was replaced by Jenna, 42.

The source continued: ‘Hoda and Kathie are lifelong friends, and the show just hasn’t been the same without them falling about laughing together while drinking white wine on the show – it was a riot. Hoda has loved taking Jenna under her wing, but it’s been a different dynamic with them.’

Hoda is conscious of how much her estimated $7million a-year role at the broadcaster takes her away from her daughters, with Hope’s recent health scare a stark reminder that she needs to focus on motherhood.

‘Nothing in the universe is, or ever will be, more important to Hoda than her role as a mother,’ said a third insider. ‘Last year work meant she was absent for periods of time and she refuses to let these girls grow up in the care of anyone but herself.’

+8
View gallery

The 60-year-old TV star, pictured with her daughters Hope, five, and seven-year-old Haley, wants to focus on being a mother

Adorable moment Hoda Kotb is reunited with her daughters

+8
View gallery

The source explained: ‘With Hope’s health issues, Hoda cannot take a backseat to parenting any longer’

Hoda had taken a number of unplanned weeks off after Hope was hospitalized in the ICU in 2023.

The broadcaster first opened up about her hospital stay on March 6 last year when she returned to Today, telling Savannah Guthrie: ‘My youngest Hope was in the ICU for a few days and then the hospital for a little more than a week.

‘I’m so grateful she is home, she is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I’m just so happy.’

Hoda then paid tribute to all of the doctors and medical staff who took care of her daughter, before thanking her family and friends for all of their support during the difficult time.

The insider explained that the star now refused to leave her daughter in the care of others and came to the realization that it is time for someone else to take the reins at Today.

‘With Hope’s health issues, Hoda cannot take a backseat to parenting any longer,’ the insider said. ‘Hoda has gotten everything she has ever wanted and more out of this job.’

They added: ‘There is no amount of money in the world that NBC could have offered to make her change her mind. Everyone fully understands and is supportive.’

Hoda has made no secret about the struggles she faced while Hope was dealing with her undisclosed medical issue.

+8
View gallery

Following Hope’s time in hospital last year, the star recently moved out of her New York City apartment to a suburban home with her children

Hoda Kotb is open to love after split from ex-fiancé Joel Schiffma

Speaking to People, the NBC star said previously: ‘We had a scary stretch. Any parent who’s been through a scary thing with their child understands. It’s like you just can’t believe that your child’s sick.

‘You can’t believe that there’s nothing you can do. You can’t believe that no matter what you do, you can’t will it away or protect her, or all the things that we’re supposed to be doing as parents. And it’s a position I’ve never found myself in.’

The TV anchor initially hired extra help to balance the new medical demands alongside her rigid work schedule, a move that helped make life more ‘stabilized’ as she worked hard to try and ‘make everything normal’ for her young daughters.

She admitted to the publication: ‘It’s really tricky, because I don’t want Hope to get labelled. She’s a kid who is so vibrant, and most days everything is totally fine. I don’t want people to look at her differently.’

Naturally, the future is already looking bright for Hoda, with a source adding: ‘Hoda has an impeccable record in broadcast – she’s already got offers in the pipeline for work, but she wants to do things that fit around her schedule and not the other way around.’

Meanwhile, a telling sign that the star was ready to make a change came earlier this year when Hoda moved out of her New York City apartment to a suburban home.

Reflecting on the move in August, she stated on Today with Hoda and Jenna: ‘It’s all new — new kids, new school, new things, new everything.

‘And it’s funny because all I could think of was I want my house for the kids to feel warm and cozy and a place where they want to hang. And that’s it.’

She added: ‘I do love the whole kind of restarting, repotting, starting something new. It feels really good.’

During her emotional on-air announcement on Thursdays’ show, Hoda tearfully confirmed that her decision had a lot to do with her daughters.

She stated: ‘Obviously I had my kiddos late in life and I think that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie, we only have an infinite amount of time.’

+8
View gallery

During her emotional announcement on Thursdays’ show, the star sobbed alongside her co-anchors Jenna, 42, and Savannah Guthrie, 52

Hoda sat holding hands with her cohosts, including Jenna, 42, who she called her ‘ride-or-die.’

Unsurprisingly fans were quick to share their devastation, with some even admitting they will be ‘done watching’ when she leaves.

‘Please say this is a joke,’ read one comment, while another viewer said: ‘Huge loss, irreplaceable.’

Others admitted that the news had brought them to tears: ‘Literally crying after I put my makeup on.

‘I start my day with you every single day. I will miss you. Best wishes to all of your future endeavors.’

‘Oh lord. I’m crying walking out the door to school drop-off,’ added someone else.