You’ve seen her for years in high-definition, perfectly coiffed under the bright studio lights of 30 Rock. But lately, the pictures of Hoda Kotb hitting the internet look a little different. They’re grainier. They’re sun-drenched. Often, she’s wearing no makeup at all, rocking a ponytail and a sweatshirt while walking her daughters, Haley and Hope, to school in the suburbs.
Honestly, it’s a vibe.
Since Hoda officially wrapped her legendary 26-year run at NBC on January 10, 2025, the public’s obsession with her hasn't faded—it’s just shifted. We aren't looking for red carpet gowns anymore. People are searching for the "real" Hoda. They want to see what life looks like when a powerhouse journalist decides to "find a different tree," as her daughter famously advised her.
The Viral Transition: From Studio Lights to Soccer Fields
The most talked-about pictures of Hoda Kotb over the last year haven't come from Getty Images or paparazzi. They’ve come from Hoda herself. On January 14, 2026, she posted a video that sent fans into a frenzy: she was on a bike in a Brooklyn park, announcing her new show, Joy Rides.
📖 Related: Colton Hendricks Ex Wife: The Truth About the Reality Star’s First Marriage
It’s a stark contrast.
For nearly two decades, we saw Hoda in structured blazers. Now, we see her in "mom mode." There’s a specific photo from September 2025 that went viral—it’s just Hoda in her driveway on the girls' first day of school. She looks exhausted but genuinely radiant. No glam squad. No teleprompter. Just a mom with a messy bun.
She recently admitted to People that she’s only worn makeup "probably three times" since leaving the Today show. Think about that. For a woman whose face was literally her brand, that’s a massive psychological shift. When you look at recent photos of her, you can actually see the "slower rhythm" she’s been talking about.
What the "Joy 101" Photos Reveal
Hoda didn't just retire to sit on a porch. She launched a wellness brand called Joy 101. If you scroll through the imagery associated with this new chapter, you’ll notice a theme:
- Authenticity over Perfection: The photos aren't airbrushed.
- Connection: She’s almost always interacting with someone—a guest on her bike, her kids, or her dog, Waffles.
- Movement: She’s walking, riding, or traveling.
It’s basically a masterclass in "The Third Act."
Why We Can't Stop Looking at These Photos
Why does the internet care so much about a 61-year-old woman’s Instagram feed? It’s because Hoda represents a specific kind of hope. She left at the "top of the wave." Most people in media cling to the desk until they’re pushed. Hoda walked away.
When people search for pictures of Hoda Kotb, they’re often looking for proof that life after a big career is actually good. We want to see the "grass on the feet" she promised her kids. We want to see if she’s actually sleeping in (she is, though "sleeping in" for Hoda means a 5:30 AM SoulCycle class instead of a 3:00 AM alarm).
The "Joy Rides" Aesthetic
Her new YouTube show, Joy Rides, which premiered January 21, 2026, is a visual departure from the Today show's slick production. The show features Hoda having deep conversations while on the move with guests like Stacy London and Savannah Guthrie. The "stills" from these episodes show Hoda in her element—curious, laughing, and totally unbothered by a stray hair or a bit of wind.
Breaking Down the Most Iconic Recent Snapshots
If you’re trying to track the "New Hoda" timeline, there are a few key images that define this era:
- The Farewell Montage (January 2025): The photos of Hoda surrounded by the Today family (Al Roker, Savannah, Jenna Bush Hager) represent the end of an era. The image of her daughters walking onto the set is arguably the most emotional shot in morning TV history.
- The "Waffles" Reveal (July 2025): The video/stills of her introducing their new puppy to Haley and Hope. It’s pure, unscripted chaos.
- The St. Louis Reflection (January 2026): While covering the U.S. Figure Skating Championships for NBC (she still does special events!), she was photographed in an empty arena. It captured her in a quiet, reflective moment, looking back on her career.
How to Follow Hoda’s New Journey
If you want the most authentic pictures of Hoda Kotb, skip the tabloid sites. They usually just recycle old studio shots from 2022.
Instead, look at the Joy 101 YouTube channel and her official Instagram. That’s where the "Begin Again" era is being documented in real-time. She’s leaning into her 60s as a "beginner" entrepreneur, and she’s not hiding the growing pains.
💡 You might also like: Hank Jr Habits Old and New: How Bocephus Changed His Life Without Losing His Edge
The takeaway from Hoda’s current visual narrative is simple: you don't have to stay in one "tree" forever. Sometimes, the best photos are the ones where you aren't trying to look like a "personality"—you’re just being a person.
Actionable Ways to Emulate Hoda’s "Joy" Philosophy
- Audit your "Time Pie": Hoda famously visualized her life as a pie to decide how much time her kids deserved versus her career.
- Embrace the "Beginner" Mindset: Don't be afraid to start something new at 40, 50, or 60.
- Prioritize Presence: Notice how in almost every recent photo, Hoda is looking at the person she’s with, not the camera.
Stop scrolling for the "perfect" shot and start looking for the "real" one. Whether it's a blurry photo of a dog or a shot of a morning bike ride, the best pictures of Hoda Kotb are the ones that remind us that joy is a choice we make every single morning—even if we don't have to wake up at 3:00 AM to find it.