Abby Phillip Was ‘So Blissful’ to See Hoda Kotb’s Choice to Depart TODAY (Unique)

Abby Phillip has nothing however reward and encouragement for Hoda Kotb.

On the 2024 Glamour Ladies of the 12 months Awards on Tuesday, Oct. 8, Philip mentioned Kotb’s resolution to exit the Today show after 17 years with this system and 25 years complete working for NBC. Kotb, 60, made the troublesome resolution following a yr of non-public challenges, together with a medical disaster involving her younger daughter Hope, 5, which the anchor declined to share out of privateness issues.

“I completely felt that, and deep in my coronary heart, I believe so many people did, as a result of we sacrifice so much to do these jobs, and so they’re actually necessary. And truly, they’re necessary for our children to see that we’re doing issues out on the earth,” Phillip tells PEOPLE. “However there’s a time when it is good to say, ‘I’ve completed so much, I’ve completed good issues, and it is time for me to spend time with my household.’ ”

“So I used to be so pleased for her,” Phillip continues, including that she felt Kotb was “so brave and courageous, I believe in that second to make that call.”

“And all people desires to spin it nevertheless they need to,” Philip provides. “However I believe that on a private stage, as a mom, each mom understands what that second seems like.”

Kotb shared in this week’s issue of PEOPLE that Hope’s medical scenario had improved, having moved Hope and large sister, Hailey, 7, from their Higher West Aspect house in Manhattan to a home in Westchester.

“We’re in a spot the place Hope is prospering. She is bettering, we’re watching her, and I believe that as time goes on, we’ll have a greater deal with on it, however we’re already seeing nice variations,” Kotb advised PEOPLE. “We now have actually glorious care, I’ve people who find themselves serving to us out. I really feel like she is discovering regular footing.” 

With Hope in Kindergarten and Hailey in second grade now, Kotb is acutely conscious that point is flying.

“I knew that I needed this decade to be totally different. I checked out my time like a pie,” she continued. “I used to be like, that is how a lot time I get, and now what am I going to do with it and the way am I going to carve it up? And I needed it to be full of extra of them.”

The veteran journalist additionally admitted a stage of “guilt” contributed to the change.

“There’s the guilt you carry as a result of you possibly can’t be 100% at work and 100% at dwelling,” she stated. “One thing has to offer in order for you excellence. Should you’re going to be glorious at work, one thing has to offer at dwelling. And if you wish to be glorious at dwelling — I imply glorious and do all of the issues — one thing has to offer at work. It will possibly’t be equal.”

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Kotb, who will keep in her present function till the start of 2025.