Hoda Kotb ( DOB August 9, 1964), briefly known professionally as Kotb , is an American television news anchor, originally from Norman, Oklahoma.

Kotb is Egyptian-American. In Arabic, the name "Hoda" means "guidance", and is very popular among Arab women. The last name "Kotb" means "pole", and is a common surname among Egyptians. The name is usually pronounced [ˈkutub]. For a period during her career she spelled her surname Kotbe to aid pronunciation of her surname, she now uses the original form, Kotb.

Since joining NBC in 1998, Kotb has covered a wide variety of domestic and international stories, including the aftermath and one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a story that was very personal to her because she lived in New Orleans for six years. Kotb has also reported on the war in Iraq, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and the war in Afghanistan. Kotb’s exclusive interview with Aung San Suu Kyi, an internationally recognized leader of Burma, marked the first time in 11 years that Suu Kyi was interviewed by an American television network.

Kotb traveled to Southeast Asia to cover the devastating effects of the 2004 tsunami, and to war-torn Burma to report on 12-year-old twin warriors who were said to have magical powers. Kotb also co-anchored an MSNBC special on race, “Shades of Hope…Shadows of Hate,” which was reported from Birmingham, Ala. at the former site of a Klan bombing.

Hoda Kotb, the woman who struggled against breast cancer, has made it to the co-host position for the fourth hour of the Today show on NBC. It wasn’t easy for her as she relates to the world of women who may be suffering from the same disease. In her talk on the Today Show Hoda Kotb expressed how it was important to keep fighting for a better life because it’s possible. She never thought that she would be a victim to breast cancer but then she was diagnosed with it when her gynecologist discovered a lump on her breast which turned out the be breast cancer.

Hoda Kotb then got a mastectomy and a reconstructive surgery three years ago in the third month of 2007. She says that she has had a very supportive background through the ordeal as her sister; mother and brother were always there by her side as she was undergoing treatment. Hoda Kotb is overwhelmed by the reaction she has received for her public message on the awareness of breast cancer.

Hoda Kotb’s message to the public on the show was inspiring as she says that those who recover from cancer are given a second lease on life and it is their golden opportunity to make their lives what they want them to be.




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