Hoda Kotb got a starry sendoff from fans and famous friends alike on her final “Today” show broadcast after 17 years on the NBC morning staple.

Kathie Lee Gifford surprised her former Today fourth hour co-host Hoda Kotb in honor of her last day. One last toast for Hoda Kotb. And fittingly, her former cohost Kathie Lee Gifford was the one to do it. In honor of the long-time Today anchor’s final day Jan.10, the former Kathie Lee & Hoda host made a surprise appearance.

As her “Today” family named her final day, “It’s a Hoda-bration!” Hoda Kotb was fêted on Friday during her last day hosting “Today” after 17 years at the show. Kotb announced her departure in Sept. 2024,

Hoda Kotb got a visit from some folks from her past that made her emotional on camera. On the Tuesday, December 7, episode of the Today show, Kotb, 60, started crying after being surprised by the family of Erin Ludwig, a woman who suffered from breast cancer and succumbed to the disease in 2017.

Hoda Kotb gathered with anchors, friends and fans on the “Today” show for the last time Friday in a teary, star-studded end to her 17-year run on NBC’s morning program. Throughout the broadcast, dubbed a “Hoda-bration” and a love letter to the longtime host,