Egyptian-American Hoda Kotb Named the Co-Anchor of NBC’s ‘Today’

Egyptian-American television host Hoda Kotb was named, on Tuesday, co-anchor of NBC’s Today show alongside anchor Savannah Guthrie replacing former co-host Matt Lauer.

“It’s 2018 and we are kicking off the year right because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of Today,” announced Guthrie the news in the program’s opening session. Kotb responded, “I am pinching myself.”

Several media outlets reported that it is the first time two women have anchored a morning show together since “Good Morning America” co-hosted by Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer.

Kotb is replacing Matt Lauer who has been fired in November from NBC due to sexual misconduct allegations, according to New York Times.

The hashtag #SavannahHodaTODAY received heartfelt and warm congratulations to Kotb celebrating her new role.

“In 2016, the first two hours of ‘Today’ brought in more than $US 500 million of revenue, while the fourth hour had revenue of $US 68 million, according to Kantar Media,” according to a report by New York Times.

Kotb fought a long battle against breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2007 during a routine medical appointment.

Kotb has been with NBC for about 20 years. She first started at NBC in 1998 as a correspondent. She covered stories on Hurricane Katrina, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts between the Israelis and Palestinians, and the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia among many others.

‘Historic and so deserved’ Congratulations pour in for TODAY co-anchor @HodaKotb https://t.co/7hJXbPFd6d pic.twitter.com/qLjXcjRPEL

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 2, 2018