Hoda Kotb shocked the nation when she revealed she would be leaving the Today show, and the longtime host wore a very special piece of jewelry as she made the emotional announcement.

The mother-of-two, 60, broke down in tears on Thursday morning as she told her devoted viewers that she would be stepping back in early 2025 to give “a bigger piece of her time pie” to her daughters, Haley, seven, and Hoop, four .

And as she shared the devastating news, the TV icon held a piece of her two girls close to her heart.

Hoda wore a gold chain with an M pendant on it during the emotional segment, something she previously revealed was dedicated to her children.

When cohost Jenna Bush Hager asked her about the meaning behind the sparkling piece of jewelry in January 2022, she explained, “M stands for mother.”

Hoda Kotb shocked the nation when she revealed she would be leaving the Today show, and the host wore a special piece of jewelry when she made the announcement

At the time, the acclaimed journalist explained that she wore it, along with two other necklaces, virtually every day.

“I’m wearing ‘Haley’ and ‘Hope’ (another one). Then I have an ‘I love you mom’ on this,” she added. “They’re all (for) my girls.”

Hoda noted that it was an honor to call herself “mom,” explaining, “The M is me.

“That would be the initial I would want to wear if it weren’t my children’s initials. Because who would have thought I would wear that initial?’

The outgoing Today host previously said she believed for years that parenthood would never be on the agenda for her.

The star, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42, came out of treatment unable to conceive.

She and her now ex, Joel Schiffman, adopted Haley in 2017, followed by Hope in 2019; they broke up in 2022.

Hoda, who has been part of NBC for 26 years, became emotional when she shared the news Thursday that she would be leaving Today while live on air.

Hoda, 60, broke down in tears Thursday morning as she told her devoted viewers that she would be stepping back in early 2025 to give “a bigger piece of her time pie” to her daughters.

Hoda wore a gold chain with an M pendant on it during the emotional segment, something she previously revealed was dedicated to her children

She explained to her fellow cohosts that turning 60 felt like a “monumental moment” and ultimately convinced her that it was time to “try something new.”

The TV icon – who reportedly earns around $8 million a year – read out a letter explaining her ‘painful’ decision to her colleagues.

“As I write this, my heart is on the map,” she said. ‘I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful decision.

“And you’re all the reason why. They say two things can be good at the same time, and I feel that so deeply right now.

“I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show. My time at NBC was the longest professional love affair of my life.

‘But only because you stood by my side during this 26-year adventure. Looking back, the math is crazy.

“Twenty-six years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven by seven, sixteen by ten.

“I imagine your faces and your families and all the ways you have lifted and inspired me.

‘That’s my heart singing. Many of my professional relationships have grown into some of my most cherished friendships.”

She explained that after her 60th birthday, she felt a “shift.”

“My broadcasting career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mother need and deserve a bigger share of my time,” she explained. “I will miss you all very much, but I am ready and excited.”

Hoda told her cohosts and viewers that a big part of her decision was due to her young daughters.

She said: ‘I had my children later in life and I think they deserve a bigger share of my time, we only have an infinite amount of time.’

When co-host Jenna Bush Hager asked her about the meaning behind the sparkling piece of jewelry in January 2022, she explained, “M stands for mother.” She has been seen with her daughters

“The M is me,” she said. “That would be the initial I would want to wear if it weren’t my children’s initials. Because who would have thought I would wear that initial?’

The longtime host added that she will “remain part of the NBC family,” concluding, “How could I not?” Family is family, and you will always be a part of me.”

A source exclusively told DailyMail.com afterwards that her daughters were certainly the driving force behind her decision to leave the show, but they weren’t the only factor.

The insider claimed that Hoda was inspired to leave after seeing how much her former cohost Kathie Lee Gifford, 71, has accomplished since stepping back.

“Yes, it’s about her girls and being able to put them through school, but she’s also seen how rich the life Kathie Lee Gifford has led since she dropped out – she’s had a boyfriend, written a play, books, music, she even wrote and starred in a movie,” the insider said.

Despite her close friendship with cohost Jenna, the insider also claimed that the TV host always felt like they could never quite capture the chemistry she shared with Kathie Lee.

Hoda co-hosted Today’s Fourth Hour with Kathie Lee from 2008 to 2019, with the pair delighting fans with their antics at the news and the liquor counter. She was replaced by Jenna, 42.

“It was never the same after Kathie Lee left — they had the best chemistry on the show together,” the source explained.