In a world where celebrity careers often take precedence over family, Hoda Kotb’s recent decision to step away from her high-profile role on NBC’s *Today* show is a refreshing example of true priorities: family first.

The beloved journalist, who co-anchored *Today* for seven years and spent nearly three decades at NBC News, revealed this week that she left the show earlier this year primarily to care for her 6-year-old daughter, Hope, who battles Type 1 diabetes—a chronic, incurable disease requiring constant vigilance.

“As anyone with a child who has Type 1 knows, especially a little kid, you’re constantly watching, you’re constantly monitoring, you’re constantly checking,” Kotb shared during a heartfelt return as a guest on the *Today* show this Wednesday. “That’s what I did all the time when I was at ‘Today.’ You’re distracted.”

The 60-year-old journalist opened up candidly to her former co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin about the difficult choice she made, saying, “You just get a priority check in your life.” She explained the challenge of being physically present in the studio but mentally torn between the morning broadcast and worrying about her daughter’s health: “I can be here and sweating what’s happening to Hope in the morning and in the night, or I can be there and feel relief that I can see.”

Kotb’s departure in January marked the end of a major chapter in her career but highlighted a fundamental truth many parents understand—sometimes, family needs must come first, no matter how demanding or rewarding your career might be.

Hope, whom Kotb adopted along with her older daughter Haley, 7, is managing her condition with remarkable resilience. “Hope is fine for most of the day. There are just moments where you have to watch her,” Kotb said, sharing the constant care required. “I was totaling it up — five minutes at breakfast, five minutes at lunch, five minutes at dinner, sometimes overnight. Add that up, that’s a half hour. So for 23 and a half hours, she’s every other kid.”

Type 1 diabetes means Hope’s pancreas produces little or no insulin, requiring daily insulin shots—sometimes four or five a day—and round-the-clock monitoring to keep blood sugar levels stable. Kotb explained the toll it takes, from missing out on sweets to late-night care routines. Yet she emphasized that Hope’s diagnosis is just one part of who she is. “She’s a happy, healthy, rambunctious, amazing kid… Diabetes is a part of her, but not all of her. I hope it shapes her but never defines her.”

Kotb also acknowledged how her demanding *Today* schedule—waking up before 3:15 a.m. every day—made it impossible to give Hope the full attention she needed. “I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her,” Kotb admitted. “But I would never, ever want Hope to one day grow up and say, ‘Oh, my mom left her job because of me.’ It wasn’t that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision.”

Her commitment to family was underscored by her previous month-long leave in early 2023, when Hope was hospitalized in intensive care. Such moments of crisis reinforce the sacrifices parents make in silence—far from the spotlight.

Kotb also squashed rumors about her taking over *The Kelly Clarkson Show,* telling her *Today* co-hosts, “Delete. Delete. That’s not true.” When asked if she would ever return to television, she was unequivocal: “The only place I would ever come back is? Right here, this is the spot. There’s no place like home.”

In an age where work-life balance often feels like a myth, Hoda Kotb’s story serves as a powerful reminder: family always comes first. Her choice to prioritize Hope’s health over the bright lights of national television is an inspiring act of love and devotion—a lesson that transcends politics, career, or celebrity.

For now, the piano may be quiet on *Today*, but the family foundation behind it remains stronger than ever.