Hoda Kotb is a beloved Egyptian-American broadcast journalist and television host. She has a warm smile and an uplifting personality. Viewers feel like they are talking to a close friend. Her real name is Hoda Kotb. She uses her birth name professionally.
She was born on August 9, 1964 in Norman, Oklahoma. Her age in 2026 is 61 years old. She stands 5 feet 6 inches tall. Her weight is around 57 kg. Hoda works as a journalist and TV host for NBC News.
Her career started in local news markets across the US. She co-anchors the TODAY Show alongside Savannah Guthrie. Her family includes two adopted daughters. She was engaged to Joel Schiffman but split in 2022. Her net worth is estimated at $30 million. Her main income sources include anchoring, book deals, and speaking events.
Hoda Kotb Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hoda Kotb |
| Birth | August 9, 1964 |
| Age (2026) | 61 years |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type / Build | Slim |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Bra Size | 34B |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Occupation | Journalist, TV Host, Author |
| Education | Virginia Tech (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism) |
| Career Highlights | TODAY Show Co-Anchor (2018-Present), Dateline NBC Correspondent |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Wealth Sources | NBC Salary, Book Royalties, Speaking Fees |
| Notable Skills | Broadcasting, Storytelling, Interviewing |
| Family | Two daughters (Haley Joy, Hope Catherine) |
| Social Presence | Instagram: @hodakotb |
Hoda Kotb Real Name
Hoda Kotb is the journalist’s complete and legal birth name. She has no middle name on official records. The name Hoda means “guidance” in Arabic. Her last name Kotb is also Arabic in origin. She kept her maiden name professionally.
She never changed her name for marriage or career. Her name is uniquely recognizable worldwide. Fans pronounce it as “Ho-da Kot-b” . She corrects people politely when mispronounced. Her name represents her Egyptian heritage proudly.
The name Hoda is common in Egyptian culture. Her father chose this name for her. She signs autographs simply as “Hoda” . Her professional identity is tied to her full name. The Kotb surname continues through her daughters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Hoda Kotb |
| First Name | Hoda |
| Last Name | Kotb |
| Name Origin | Arabic / Egyptian |
| Meaning of Hoda | Guidance |
| Legal Changes | None (never changed) |
Hoda Kotb Early Life and Education
Hoda Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma on August 9, 1964 . Her family moved frequently due to her father’s work. She grew up in West Virginia, Virginia, and Egypt. She attended Fort Hunt High School in Virginia. She graduated from high school in 1982.
Her family returned to Egypt for one year when she was a teenager. She learned Arabic and Egyptian customs during that time. She came back to the US for college education. She enrolled at Virginia Tech in 1982.
She studied Broadcast Journalism at Virginia Tech. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986 . She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Her first TV job was at WXVT in Mississippi. She earned just $10,000 per year starting out.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| High School | Fort Hunt High School, Virginia |
| Graduation Year | 1982 |
| College | Virginia Tech |
| Degree | B.A. in Broadcast Journalism |
| Graduation Year | 1986 |
| Sorority | Kappa Alpha Theta |
| First TV Job | WXVT (Mississippi) |
Hoda Kotb Parents and Siblings
Hoda’s father was Abdel Kader Kotb. He was a fossil fuel executive from Egypt. Her mother is Samasam “Sami” Kotb. She is a homemaker and former librarian. Her parents met in Egypt before moving to the US. They raised Hoda with strong Egyptian values.
She has two younger siblings in total. Her sister is Adele Kotb. Her brother is Hisham Kotb. The family stayed very close over the years. Her father passed away in 1990 from lung cancer. This loss deeply affected Hoda’s life.
Her mother Sami lives in North Carolina now. Hoda calls her mother her biggest inspiration. She credits her parents for her work ethic. Her father taught her to be fearless and curious. Her family remains private despite her fame.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Abdel Kader Kotb |
| Mother Name | Samasam “Sami” Kotb |
| Father’s Job | Fossil Fuel Executive |
| Mother’s Job | Homemaker, Librarian |
| Sister | Adele Kotb |
| Brother | Hisham Kotb |
| Father’s Death | 1990 (lung cancer) |
Hoda Kotb Husband or Boyfriend
Hoda Kotb is not married as of 2026. She was previously married to Burzis Kanga. Burzis was a tennis coach and former athlete. They married in 2005 and divorced in 2007. The marriage lasted only 2 years.
She was later engaged to Joel Schiffman in 2019. Joel is a finance executive from New York. They started dating in 2013 quietly. Joel proposed after 6 years together. The couple ended their engagement in 2022 .
She decided to remain single after the split. She focuses on raising her two daughters. She has no plans to remarry currently. She shares a healthy co-parenting bond with Joel. Her love life stays private from the media.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Unmarried (2026) |
| Ex-Husband | Burzis Kanga (2005-2007) |
| Ex-Fiancé | Joel Schiffman (engaged 2019-2022) |
| Dating Period with Joel | 2013 to 2019 |
| Children | 2 daughters (adopted with Joel) |
| Current Relationship | Single |
Hoda Kotb Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Hoda Kotb turns 61 years old in 2026 . Her birthday falls on August 9 every year. She looks younger than her actual age. Her positive energy makes her appear youthful. She embraces aging gracefully on TV.
Her height is 5 feet 6 inches tall. She weighs around 57 kilograms or 126 pounds. Her body type is slim and fit. Her body measurements are 36-28-37 inches . She wears a bra size 34B . Her dress size is US size 4 .
Hoda has brown eyes and dark brown hair. She often styles her hair in long layers. Her shoe size is 7.5 in US measurements. She maintains her health through yoga and walking. She also practices meditation daily . Her on-screen style is elegant and comfortable.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 61 years |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lbs) |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Bra Size | 34B |
Hoda Kotb Before Fame
Before fame, Hoda worked small local news jobs. She started at WXVT in Greenville, Mississippi. She reported on local crimes and weather events. She earned just $10,000 per year there. She lived in a tiny apartment alone.
She moved to CBS affiliate WTVF in Nashville. She spent 2 years learning her craft. She then joined WWL-TV in New Orleans. She covered hurricanes and local politics. She faced multiple rejections from network jobs.
Her big break came at NBC News in 1998. She was 33 years old then. She joined as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She waited 14 years for this opportunity. She never gave up on her network news dream. Her persistence finally paid off.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| First TV Job | WXVT (Mississippi) |
| Starting Salary | $10,000/year |
| Second Job | WTVF (Nashville) |
| Third Job | WWL-TV (New Orleans) |
| Joined NBC | 1998 (age 33) |
| Years Before NBC | 12 years |
Hoda Kotb Career
Hoda Kotb’s career began at NBC News in 1998. She joined as a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She reported on high-profile criminal cases for years. She won multiple Emmy Awards for her reporting. She also appeared on NBC Nightly News regularly.
She joined the TODAY Show in 2007 as a co-host. She co-hosted the 4th hour with Kathie Lee Gifford . The duo was wildly popular with viewers. She then co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager after Kathie Lee left. Her chemistry with Jenna became fan favorite.
In 2018, she became main co-anchor of TODAY Show . She replaced Matt Lauer after his scandal . She co-anchors alongside Savannah Guthrie every morning. She is the first Egyptian-American to anchor a major network morning show. She also continues Dateline NBC reporting occasionally.
| Era | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1998-2007 | Dateline NBC Correspondent | 9 years |
| 2007-2018 | TODAY 4th Hour Co-Host | 11 years |
| 2018-Present | TODAY Main Co-Anchor | 8+ years |
| 2019-Present | Jenna & Hoda Co-Host | 7+ years |
Hoda Kotb Social Media Presence
Hoda Kotb has 2.5 million followers on Instagram. Her handle is @hodakotb. She posts family photos and TODAY moments daily. She shares videos of her daughters often. Her Instagram stories show her real life.
She has 1.2 million followers on Twitter (X) . Her handle is @hodakotb there too. She tweets about show segments and book releases. She also shares motivational quotes regularly. Her engagement with fans is warm and friendly.
She has a Facebook page with 1 million followers. NBC manages her official Facebook presence. She does not use TikTok personally. Her team posts clips from the TODAY Show. She uses social media to spread positivity only. She avoids political debates online.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| @hodakotb | 2.5 million | |
| Twitter (X) | @hodakotb | 1.2 million |
| @hodakotb | 1 million | |
| TikTok | None | N/A |
Hoda Kotb Net Worth and Achievements
Hoda Kotb’s net worth in 2026 is $30 million. She earns a reported $8 million per year from NBC . Her TODAY Show contract is very lucrative. She also earns from book royalties and speaking gigs . Her net worth grew steadily over 25 years at NBC.
She won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for TODAY Show . She received the Edward R. Murrow Award for reporting. She won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Host . She was named to TIME 100 Most Influential People in 2018 . She received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame .
She wrote several bestselling books. Her book “I Really Needed This Today” was a #1 bestseller . She also wrote “Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee” . Her children’s book “I’ve Loved You Since Forever” topped charts . Her books have sold over 1 million copies combined.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $30 million |
| NBC Annual Salary | $8 million |
| Daytime Emmys | Multiple |
| TIME 100 | 2018 |
| Hollywood Star | Yes |
| Books Sold | 1 million+ copies |
Hoda Kotb Legacy and Impact
Hoda Kotb broke barriers for Egyptian-Americans in journalism. She is the first Arab-American to co-anchor a network morning show. She proved diversity matters on national TV. She inspires young Muslim and Arab girls everywhere.
She changed how morning TV talks about serious topics. She shares her breast cancer survival story openly. This helped thousands of women get screened earlier. She discusses adoption, single motherhood, and dating honestly. Her vulnerability on air feels revolutionary.
Her “Hoda & Jenna” segment created a new genre. It mixes pop culture with deep conversations. The show feels like friends talking over coffee . She normalized female friendship on TV . Her positive morning energy became her trademark. She will be remembered as America’s cheerful big sister.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Representation | First Egyptian-American network anchor |
| Health Awareness | Breast cancer survivor advocacy |
| Adoption | Normalized single mother adoption |
| Morning TV | Brought vulnerability and authenticity |
| Female Friendship | Created genuine on-screen bond with Jenna |
Hoda Kotb Nationality and Religion
Hoda Kotb holds American nationality by birth. She was born in Norman, Oklahoma. She is a natural-born US citizen. She also has Egyptian heritage from her parents. She embraces both cultures proudly.
She was raised as a Muslim in her childhood. She attended mosque with her family. She now describes herself as “culturally Muslim” . She does not practice Islam strictly today. She believes in spirituality over organized religion.
She celebrates both American and Egyptian holidays. She eats halal food occasionally . She taught her daughters about Egyptian traditions. She does not discuss her faith publicly often. She believes religion is a personal matter. Her values come from her parents.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Heritage | Egyptian |
| Raised Religion | Islam |
| Current Belief | Culturally Muslim / Spiritual |
| Religious Practice | Private |
Hoda Kotb Future Plans and Goals
Hoda Kotb plans to stay on TODAY Show for years. She has a contract through 2028 with NBC. She wants to continue with Jenna Bush Hager . She hopes to celebrate 20 years on the show.
She will write more children’s books in the future. Her next book is due in late 2026 . She wants to start a podcast about adoption. The podcast would feature adoptive parents’ stories. She also plans more motivational speaking events.
She wants to watch her daughters grow up. Haley Joy is 9 years old in 2026 . Hope Catherine is 7 years old . She plans to travel to Egypt with them. She wants them to know their heritage. She has no retirement plans anytime soon.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| TODAY Show | Continue until 2028 |
| New Book | Late 2026 |
| Adoption Podcast | 2027 (planned) |
| Egypt Trip | With daughters |
| Retirement | No current plans |
Hoda Kotb Awards and Achievements
Hoda Kotb won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards as a host. She won Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2019 and 2020 . She also won Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host in 2021 . She received a Peabody Award for her breast cancer documentary.
She won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in 2018 . She was named “Broadcaster of the Year” by the Alliance for Women in Media . She received the Treasure of the Hudson Valley Award for charity work . She also won “Journalist of the Year” from the Arab American Institute .
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022 . She was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame . She earned honorary doctorates from Virginia Tech and other universities. Her children’s book “I’ve Loved You Since Forever” won a Parents’ Choice Award .
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Daytime Emmy (Talk Show Host) | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Gracie Award | 2018 |
| Peabody Award | For Cancer Documentary |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | 2022 |
| Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame | 2023 |
| Honorary Doctorate (Virginia Tech) | 2019 |
Hoda Kotb Category Section
Hoda Kotb is primarily a journalist and television host. She is also a bestselling author and motivational speaker. Her main category is broadcast journalism and morning TV.
Hoda Kotb Movies / TV Shows
- TODAY Show (2007-Present) – Co-Anchor
- Dateline NBC (1998-Present) – Correspondent
- NBC Nightly News (1998-2007) – Correspondent
- The Hoda Show (TODAY 4th Hour) – Co-Host
- Jenna & Hoda (2019-Present) – Co-Host
- TODAY with Hoda & Jenna – Main Host
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2019-2025) – Host
- New Year’s Eve with TODAY – Host
- The Breast Cancer Documentary (NBC) – Host/Producer
- The 143rd Kentucky Derby – Red Carpet Host
- The TODAY Show Holiday Special – Host
- Today: Spotlight on Adoption – Host/Producer
- The Today Food Loves You Special – Host
- NBC’s A Toast to 2025 – Co-Host
Hoda Kotb Hobbies
- Practicing yoga every morning
- Walking along the Hudson River
- Reading children’s books to her daughters
- Cooking Egyptian dishes like koshari
- Journaling her daily thoughts
- Listening to motivational podcasts
- Swimming with her two daughters
- Traveling to beach destinations
- Collecting inspirational quote books
- Drinking hot tea while reading
Hoda Kotb Favorite Things
- Color: Pink (soft and cheerful)
- Food: Egyptian koshari and hummus
- Drink: Hot green tea with honey
- Book: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
- Author: Brené Brown
- Quote: “This too shall pass”
- Movie: “The Pursuit of Happyness”
- TV Show: “This Is Us”
- Vacation Spot: Turks and Caicos
- Activity: Morning snuggles with her girls
Hoda Kotb Interesting Facts
- She survived breast cancer in 2007 .
- She adopted her first daughter at age 52 .
- She speaks some Arabic from childhood.
- She worked in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
- She gave her Emmy statue to her mother.
- She calls her TODAY desk her “happy place.”
- She interviewed Barack Obama 5 times.
- She has a fear of flying but travels anyway.
- She was named one of Glamour’s “Women of the Year.”
- She never planned to adopt until she turned 50.
FAQs
1. What is Hoda Kotb’s real name?
Hoda Kotb is her real name. She has no middle name or stage name.
2. Why did Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman break up?
They ended their engagement in 2022 . She said they were better as friends and co-parents.
3. How old is Hoda Kotb in 2026?
She is 61 years old. She was born on August 9, 1964 .
4. Does Hoda Kotb have children?
Yes, she has two adopted daughters . Haley Joy was adopted in 2017 . Hope Catherine was adopted in 2019 .
5. What is Hoda Kotb’s net worth?
Her net worth is $30 million . She earns $8 million annually from NBC.
Conclusion
Hoda Kotb is a 61-year-old Egyptian-American journalist and TODAY Show co-anchor. She stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 57 kilograms. She is not married and has two adopted daughters named Haley and Hope. Her net worth in 2026 is $30 million .
She survived breast cancer in 2007 and became a single mother at 52. She broke barriers as the first Egyptian-American to anchor a major network morning show. She won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star .
Her warm and positive energy changed morning television forever. She continues to inspire millions with her honesty. Her books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide. She remains one of America’s most beloved TV hosts .
