Kathie Lee Gifford to Leave 'Today' Show

Kathie Lee Gifford is set to leave the Today show after over a decade co-hosting the fourth hour of the morning program with Hoda Kotb.

The news was announced in a memo from NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim, acquired by Deadline.

In a statement, Kathie Lee told Noah, “In 2008, I joined the Today Show family intending to spend one year. But something unexpected happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful, talented, extraordinary Egyptian goddess named Hoda, and an amazing group of individuals who work tirelessly and joyfully at their jobs, many of them starting at midnight, creating an unprecedented four hours of live television. I stayed year after year making a million memories with people I will never forget. I leave Today with a grateful heart but I’m truly excited for this new creative season in my life. Many thanks to all the wonderful people who made the years fly by.”

Noah added, “Kathie Lee is generously staying with us through the show’s next anniversary, April 7, 2019. We will have much more to share before then about our plans for that hour, which will, of course, continue to include Hoda.”