Oprah Winfrey, Simone Biles, Kermit the Frog and More Stars Surprise Hoda Kotb on Final Today Broadcast

In honor of the last day of Hoda Kotba on Todaya host of special celebrity guests sent the NBC anchor well wishes.

Keith Morrison, with whom Kotb worked Date linewhere she began her career at NBC in 1998, began a tribute to the stars by recalling her first impression of Today co-host: “Wow, this is someone different.”

“She asked me a question. ‘Can you help me learn to tell stories, to be a storyteller?’ It was like she needed my help,” recalled the 77-year-old Morrison. “She was very kind. She listened. Over the years I have seen her be kind to all kinds of people and that makes me very happy. We will miss our Hoda.”

Jamie Lee Curtis brings Hoda Kotb to tears with Sweet Note Before Today Anchor’s Exit: ‘We’ll all miss you’

Morrison’s tribute started a long line of sweet memories and messages from celebrities who played during Today show for Kotb, 60.

Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristin Chenoweth were next, with Wicked the star says in a recorded video: “You definitely put your palm print on my heart and the heart of the world. Congratulations and don’t say ‘goodbye’, say ‘see you later’.”

Next, a video of Wade, 42, was shown thanking Kotb for “everything you’ve given over the air to all your fans, all your families, all your fans.”

“But most importantly, thank you for what you’ve done and what you’re building and what you’re going to do,” he said.

Curtis (66) then shared the message. “We send you off with a warm greeting and thanks for all this beauty Todaythat contributed to your career.”

Jamie Lee Curtis presents Hoda Kotb with a trophy on her last day on the ‘Today’ show.

NBC

Savannah Guthrie then gave Kotb a gift on the actress’ behalf and said that Curtis had planned to surprise her in person, but had gone home to LA because of the wildfires.

“I had something Moy Thompson made for you, and it’s one of my balls, and it says ‘Every day with you is a better day’ and the dates you were on TodayCurtis said in a pre-recorded message, explaining her gift.

“So, from all your fans, your friends – including me – thank you for being such a great example to all of us of what really matters, and the reason you’re quitting is the most important. God bless you and thank you!”

10 most memorable moments of Hoda Kotba on Today

The next star to pay tribute to Kotb was none other than Oprah Winfrey, who told the reporter, “I know how it feels to make this decision.”

“Yes, you made the right move even though it was very hard to do. and I know that Haley and Hope will benefit so much from this decision and whatever you decide to do in your next chapter, in your next adventure, it will be the best decision for you and your family.”

Hoda Kotb on “Danas”.

Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty

Simone Biles was then surprised by Kotba, who was emotional right after the arrival of the Olympian.

“I’ve watched you grow up, I’ve watched you go to the top of the mountain,” Kotb said to Biles, 27. “When I think of all the things I’ve done here, all 26 years, you’re at the top of my list.”

Biles said Kotb is “like our Olympic mom” as she thanked the host.

Kotb said that before she had daughters Haley and Hope, she often wished that if she had children, they would be “a lot like Simone.”

Simone BIles surprises Hoda Kotb on her last day on the ‘Today’ show.

NBC

Biles’ appearance also came with an exciting tease about her potential plans for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. “I hope we’ll be together in LA,” Biles teased, getting Kotb excited to dance as she said, “We announced news on my last day!”

Hoda Kotb recalls the good times at work Today as he discovers the one thing he ‘won’t miss’

Kermit the Frog closed the surprise hour for Kotb at 8 a.m., as her daughters joined her in the show and the Muppets performed “Rainbow Connection” as Kotb and her daughters sang.

He also praised Kotb, saying that his “favorite thing” about her is her smile.

“You have such a lovely smile. It really lights up a room, doesn’t it?” he said. “Hoda, you really make every day as beautiful as a rainbow.”

Hoda Kotb.

Andrew Eccles/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Kotb announced her decision to leave Today after 17 years on the air in late September, as she admitted in a letter to the staff of the NBC morning show that her daughters “need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.”

Despite her exit from Today show, the journalist will still remain on the network in some capacity.

“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest working relationship I’ve had the good fortune to hold close to my heart,” she said. “I’ll be around. How could I not be? Family is family and you will all always be a part of me.”

While speaking with PEOPLE for its October cover story, the longtime television host opened up about a new project she was looking forward to after spending time on Today is coming to an end.

“It’s the whole health situation, and it just made me shine because of the things I’ve been working on and working on myself,” she shared. “I learned to do a bunch of different things with breathing and whatnot through friends, through Jenna [Bush Hager]through Maria [Shriver]through all these different people, and I like that.”

The TV personality noted that it’s “still in the early stages” of getting “a really good wellness app together and doing wellness retreats and things like that.”

“I think it would be, for one, fun, and for two, useful,” Kotb added.

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The Today the show airs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.

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