Hoda Kotb Early Life and Background
Hoda Kotb was born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. Her parents, A.K. Kotb (father) and Sameha Kotb (mother) emigrated from Egypt to the U.S. to study at the University of Oklahoma. Hoda is the middle child: she has a brother, Adel Kotb, and a sister, Hala Kotb.
Although born in Oklahoma, she spent parts of her childhood in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. The family also spent time living abroad, including a year in Nigeria and vacations in Egypt, a link to her heritage and a connection to her parents’ roots. Growing up in a bilingual and bicultural household, Kotb has spoken about her Egyptian heritage and the influence of her background on her worldview.
She completed high school at Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
Kotb’s upbringing; shaped by immigrant parents, cross-cultural exposure, and living in diverse American regions, laid a foundation that would later inform her work as a journalist and storyteller with a global sensibility.
Hoda Kotb Education and Qualifications
After high school, Hoda Kotb enrolled at Virginia Tech, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism. While at Virginia Tech, she was an active member of the Delta sorority (Beta Nu Chapter) and participated in student radio at WUVT, early experiences that helped shape her interest and skills in media and broadcasting.
Kotb’s academic credentials, combined with early hands-on media experience, set the stage for her to enter professional journalism, a career path she would rapidly ascend.
Hoda Kotb Career
Hoda Kotb has built a long and distinguished career in broadcast journalism, reporting, and television hosting — becoming one of America’s most recognizable media personalities.
Her professional journey began soon after college, when she took an on-air job at then-CBS affiliate WXVT in Greenville, Mississippi. She later moved to ABC affiliate WQAD in Moline, Illinois (1988–1989), and then to CBS affiliate WINK in Fort Myers, Florida, where she worked as a reporter and weekend anchor (1989–1991). From 1992 to 1998, she served as anchor and reporter for WWL in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In April 1998 Kotb joined NBC News as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and other news platforms. She anchored and reported on significant stories, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to hard journalism.
Her rise within NBC continued when she became the first host of the then-new fourth hour of Today in September 2007. In January 2018, following the departure of a long-time anchor, Kotb was promoted to main co-anchor of Today alongside Savannah Guthrie, becoming part of the first all-female anchor duo of the program.
Kotb’s broadcasting career spans decades and includes anchoring, reporting, feature stories, interviews, and human-interest reporting, allowing her to build a public profile as both journalist and household name.
Beyond journalism, Hoda Kotb is also an accomplished author. Her books include: Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee (2010), Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives (2013), Where They Belong: The Best Decisions People Almost Never Made (2016), and I Really Needed This Today (2019), among others. Through her writing, she shares personal experiences, reflections, and inspirational stories; reflecting another dimension of her communication and storytelling skills.
Kotb’s career has also been recognized with several awards. She won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002 for her reporting. Additional honors include multiple Gracie Awards (2003, 2008, 2015), a Peabody Award for a Dateline NBC report in 2006, and a duPont-Columbia Award in 2008, among others. Her work, both on-screen and in print, underscores her impact as a journalist, author, and public figure.
Hoda Kotb Net Worth
As of 2025, Hoda Kotb’s net worth is widely estimated to be around US$30 million. This wealth comes from multiple sources: her long-term career with NBC (anchoring, reporting, hosting), her book deals, appearance fees, and likely investments such as real estate. Reports suggest her annual earnings from television anchoring and related roles typically fall between US$8 million and US$10 million, reflecting her status as one of the highest-paid morning-show hosts.
Kotb’s financial success matches her professional success: decades in broadcasting, multiple media ventures, and considerable public visibility.
Hoda Kotb Height and Ethnicity
Regarding physical stature, Hoda Kotb is commonly listed as 5 feet 9 inches (approximately 1.75 meters) tall. Some sources list slight variation around that height, but 5′9″ is the most accepted figure.
In terms of ethnicity, Kotb is of Egyptian descent: her parents emigrated from Egypt to the United States. Growing up in an immigrant family, bilingual environment, and cultural duality has shaped her identity and given her a distinct perspective — contributing to her breadth as a journalist who can bridge cultural contexts.
Hoda Kotb Personal Life: Age, Children, Relationships, Family Status
Hoda Kotb’s personal life: especially her role as a mother, is a significant and deeply cherished aspect of her identity.
Kotb was previously married to Burzis Kanga, a tennis coach at the University of New Orleans; their marriage lasted from 2005 to 2008.
In 2013, she began a relationship with New York financier Joel Schiffman. In 2017, she publicly announced the adoption of her first daughter, Haley Joy Kotb. In 2019 she announced the adoption of a second daughter, Hope Catherine Kotb. These announcements were made on the Today show, with which she had long association, and were met with public support and admiration.
Later in 2019, Kotb and Schiffman became engaged, a fact she shared on-air. However, on January 31, 2022, Kotb announced they had ended their engagement and would continue to co-parent their daughters as friends.
Kotb’s family background and her journey into motherhood, especially later in life and by adoption — have resonated with many, adding a deeply personal and human dimension to her public persona. Her daughters are frequently referenced in interviews and public appearances as central to her life decisions and priorities.
Summarizing Hoda Kotb’s Key Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hoda Kotb |
| Date of birth / Age | August 9, 1964 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | Norman, Oklahoma, USA |
| Ethnicity / Heritage | American of Egyptian descent |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (1.75 m) |
| Education | B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, Virginia Tech |
| Primary Employer | NBC News (former co-anchor of Today; Dateline correspondent) |
| Other Roles | Television anchor/reporter, author, public figure |
| Net Worth | ~US$30 million |
| Children | 2 adopted daughters — Haley Joy Kotb, Hope Catherine Kotb |
| Marital / Relationship History | Married (2005–2008) to Burzis Kanga; engaged (2019–2022) to Joel Schiffman; now single |
Hoda Kotb Achievements and Influence
Hoda Kotb’s career is marked by journalistic excellence, public visibility, and personal resilience. Her achievements reflect a blend of professional success and human-centered storytelling.
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As a longtime correspondent, anchor, and co-host of major television programs, including Dateline NBC and Today, she has amassed decades of experience in journalism.
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Her coverage and reporting have earned high-level awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple Gracie Awards, a Peabody Award, a duPont-Columbia Award, and recognition during the years Today won Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program while she was part of the anchor team.
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Through her books, she has reached audiences beyond television, sharing her personal journey, reflections on adversity, hope, faith, and the power of perseverance. These works have been well received and helped broaden her influence as an author and public voice.
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As someone of Egyptian descent raised in the U.S., Kotb has provided representation for immigrant-background Americans in mainstream media, celebrating bicultural identity while excelling in mainstream journalism.
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Her story as an older-mother by adoption, embracing motherhood later in life and openly sharing her challenges and joys — has inspired many, adding a personal dimension to her public image.
Conclusion
Hoda Kotb’s life and career reflect a remarkable journey of talent, tenacity, and transformation. From her beginnings as the daughter of Egyptian immigrants in Oklahoma, moving through childhood across several American states and culturally rich environments — to becoming one of America’s most recognizable news anchors, she has navigated multiple worlds with grace and authenticity.
Her educational background equipped her with the tools for broadcast journalism; but her success came not just from formal training, but from resilience, empathy, and an ability to connect, qualities evident in her reporting, hosting, writing, and public life.
With an estimated net worth of around US$30 million, a long list of professional achievements, and a deeply personal story of motherhood through adoption, Kotb offers a multidimensional example of what it means to build a public career while keeping personal values, identity, and heart intact.
Whether as journalist, author, mother, or immigrant-heritage American, Hoda Kotb’s journey remains both inspirational and instructive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Hoda Kotb?
Hoda Kotb was born on August 9, 1964, which makes her 61 years old in 2025.
What is Hoda Kotb’s net worth?
As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at about US$30 million, earned through her long career in television, book deals, and other media ventures.
How tall is Hoda Kotb?
She stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall.
What is Hoda Kotb’s ethnic background?
Hoda Kotb is of Egyptian descent — her parents immigrated from Egypt to the United States.
Does Hoda Kotb have children?
Yes. She has two adopted daughters: Haley Joy Kotb (adopted in 2017) and Hope Catherine Kotb (adopted in 2019).
Is Hoda Kotb married?
As of 2025, she is not married. She was previously married (2005–2008) to Burzis Kanga and was engaged (2019–2022) to Joel Schiffman; the engagement ended and they now co-parent their daughters as friends.
What are some of Hoda Kotb’s major career achievements?
Her major achievements include decades of journalism work (Dateline NBC correspondent, Today show co-anchor), multiple prestigious awards (Edward R. Murrow Award, Peabody Award, Gracie Awards, duPont-Columbia Award), and a successful authorship career with bestselling books.
What shaped Hoda Kotb’s upbringing and worldview?
Growing up in a family of Egyptian immigrants, raised in different parts of the U.S., coupled with time spent abroad and a bicultural childhood, helped shape her global perspective, contributing to her empathy, multicultural understanding, and ability to relate to diverse audiences as a journalist and public figure.