Hoda Kotb Teases Her Surprising Next Project After “Today” Departure — and It's Not in Journalism (Exclusive)
While her new business venture is still "down the road," Kotb tells PEOPLE she's "excited about exploring and seeing what's out there"
Brian Doben
Hoda KotbAfter 38 years of chasing stories and reporting behind a desk, Hoda Kotb is turning the page on journalism as she looks towards a new chapter in her life.
In late September, Kotb made the surprising announcement that she would be leaving Today after 17 years to focus on her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. Now, in her exclusive sit down with PEOPLE, the longtime broadcaster, 60, opens up about a new project she has waiting in the wings.
"I have something that I am super excited about that's in its infancy." Kotb says in this week's cover story.
Related: Hoda Kotb Says She Envisions Romance in Her Future: 'When I Close My Eyes, I See It' (Exclusive)
"It's a whole wellness situation, and I got lit up by that just from stuff I've been working on and doing on myself," she explains. "I've learned to do a bunch of different things with breath works and what not through friends, through Jenna [Bush Hager], through Maria [Shriver], through all these different people, and I've been loving it."
The television personality says she's "still early on in the stages" of getting a "really good wellness app together and do wellness retreats and things like that."
"I think it would be, number one, fun, and number two, helpful," Kotb continues. "When I learned some of these things, I was like, 'Wait, why do I feel like my baseline feels less stressed? Why do I feel this way?' So I was talking about this stuff, and so the more you're interested the more you go down kind of that path."
While her new business venture is still "down the road," she says "it is something that I'm excited about exploring and seeing what's out there."
On Sept. 26, Kotb announced her departure to NBC staff in a touching letter before revealing her exit on air.
"As I write this, my heart is all over the map," she wrote. "I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show."
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Explaining her reasoning, Kotb added in part, "My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited."
"Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart," she added.
Kotb tells PEOPLE her last day on Today is "still being figured out." She'll continue to co-anchor Today with Gutherie and co-host Today's fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager, until the beginning of 2025.
For more on Hoda Kotb, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here.
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