Hoda Kotb’s absence from the anchor desk of Today was felt deeply by audiences nationwide, but she is officially returning—though only briefly.

Her highly anticipated comeback is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, when she will co-host the fourth hour, Today with Jenna & Friends, alongside her longtime friend and former co-anchor, Jenna Bush Hager.

Over seventeen years, Hoda built a legacy on Today, becoming a warm and beloved mainstay. In late 2024, she surprised fans with the news that she would be stepping down from her anchoring role to spend more time with her family—especially her daughters and her mother—and to explore new personal and professional opportunities.

Her heartfelt farewell aired on January 10, 2025, marked by touching tributes from colleagues, emotional farewells, and a live audience event dubbed the “Hoda‑bration”.

Though she stepped down from daily duties, Kotb didn’t vanish from the NBC family. Her farewell announcement assured viewers she would still contribute through special segments, her longstanding podcast, and involvement in future coverage—particularly the Olympics.

She also used a video appearance on Today on March 10, 2025, to announce her forthcoming book, Jump and Find Joy, slated for release on September 23.

Tantalizing hints followed. On April 23, Kotb confirmed in a video that she was planning her return “soon,” teasing an upcoming “big” project, though specifics remained undisclosed at the time.

Then, in late May, Jenna Bush Hager surprised viewers by revealing that for one day only, Hoda would return to co-host Today with Jenna & Friends and share details about her exciting new venture—later confirmed to be related to wellness.

Specifically, on May 28 at 10 a.m. ET, viewers tuned in to watch Kotb reunite with her longtime co-host and continuing to present her next project, a wellness initiative beyond traditional television formats.

But that’s not the only time Kotb will grace Today’s set. In early September 2025, Savannah Guthrie announced live that Kotb would return again the following week for another special segment—not to co-host broadly, but to introduce a compelling local story.

She will spotlight a dedicated New York phys ed teacher going above and beyond for his elementary school, bringing him and some of his students onto the Plaza for what Guthrie called a “quite unforgettable gym class.” Craig Melvin teased that it will be a “heartwarming” affair.

This return underscores Kotb’s continued connection to the show and her innate desire to uplift inspiring stories—even if she’s no longer a full-time anchor. And it shows that, despite stepping back from routine duties, she still holds a special place on the Today stage.

Behind Kotb’s return lies both continuity and evolution. Her deep bond with the show’s team—Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, Craig Melvin—is stronger than ever.

Yet, her focus has shifted meaningfully to wellness, storytelling, and family, all while retaining her presence in NBC’s broader content ecosystem via projects and the Olympics.

In summary, Hoda Kotb’s return to Today is both nostalgic and forward-looking. On May 28, 2025, she’ll make her first guest co-host appearance with Jenna to unveil her wellness venture.

Then, in early September, she’ll reappear to spotlight a touching human-interest segment, spreading warmth and inspiration from the Today Plaza once more. While she has left the anchor desk behind, her spirit, voice, and presence remain very much alive.