Al Roker Says He’s ‘So Thrilled’ for Hoda Kotb After Today Exit News That It’s Hard to ‘Feel Sadness’ (Exclusive)

Al Roker has nothing but love for his longtime collaborator Hoda Kotb.

On September 26, Kotb, 60, announced her departure from The Today show to focus on her family. While speaking with PEOPLE at the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday, Sept. 28, Roker, 70, said the departure of his fellow host is bittersweet.

“Will I miss her every day? Of course. But I’m just so thrilled for her that I can’t feel any sadness at all,” he explains.

“Here’s the thing,” Roker continues. “I would feel a lot worse if she left, but she’s just doing something else in our NBC News family.”

Kotb, who recently moved into a suburban home with daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, wrote a letter to NBC staff on Sept. 26.

“While I’m writing this, my heart is all over the map,” the journalist wrote. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s painful. And you’re all the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I feel that deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

Explaining her decision, Kotb added: “My television career was beyond the pale, a new decade of my life is upon us, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve more of my time. I will miss you all desperately, but I am ready and excited.”

Al Roker at the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday, September 28th.

CAMERON WILDER / FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC IN CHARLESTON

Food and wine Classic is heading to Charleston for the first time with chefs like Tyler Florence and Maneet Chauhan

That same morning, Kotb addressed viewers on air while sitting on a couch surrounded by her co-stars The Roker, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones.

Roker tells PEOPLE that he understands Kotba’s desire to spend more time with his family.

“Look, I’m very happy to have watched my children grow up, especially when [my daughter] Courtney was younger. I was on the local news, so I was home with my kids in the morning, but [Kotb’s] had two little daughters. Those moments, those kids grow up,” he says. “I mean, it’s a cliché, but because it’s true. It’s like you blink.”

“So I understand exactly why she did it,” he adds of Kotb’s decision.

Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.

TODAY/X

When Kotb shared her news on air, Roker had some heartfelt words during an emotional segment.

“I’ve never known anyone like you,” he said. “I’ve known you forever.”

The mom of two then recalled that the moment she “got sick,” referring to her 2007 breast cancer diagnosis, Roker was first in line for support.

Hoda Kotb announces that she is leaving Today Show after 17 years that focused on his children: ‘Right decision, but painful’

“I remember you being the first person to walk into my hospital room,” she said.

Kotb, who has been with NBC for 26 years, will remain in her current role through early 2025 and will remain at the network in some capacity.

“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest business relationship I’ve had the good fortune to hold close to my heart,” she wrote in her letter.

Along with Savannah Guthrie, she co-anchors NBC News Today and co-host Todayfourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager.

Hoda Kotb’s exit from the show today was ‘a complete surprise to most people on the show’ (Exclusive)

Hoda Kotb walks with her daughters.

Hoda Kotb/Instagram

She and Guthrie, 52, made history as the first female co-hosts of the popular morning talk show.

Kotb was the first host TodayA fourth hour aired at 10 a.m. in September 2007, and was joined by co-host Kathie Lee Gifford in April 2008. Hager became Kotb’s co-host in August 2019 following Gifford’s departure.

As for his thoughts on who should replace Kotb on TodayThe rocker tells PEOPLE he has “no idea.”

“But it’s a great thing Today the play is greater than the sum of its parts. And it always has,” he says. “From Dave Garroway in 1952 to Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw, Bryant and Jane, Matt, Katie. You just go through the list of people and the show is a show, and we’re all passing through. Some of us have been here a little longer than others, but whoever they pick will be good.”

The Food and wine The Classic in Charleston runs from September 27-29.

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