Hoda Kotb (pronounced /ˈhoʊdə ˈkuːtəb/; born August 9, 1964), briefly known professionally as /ˈkɒtbiː/,^{[citation needed]} is an American television news anchor, originally from Norman, Oklahoma.

Kotb is Egyptian-American.^[2] 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.^[3]

[edit] Biography

Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma, but grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia^[4]. She graduated from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1982. She graduated in 1986 from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Kotb underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in March 2007 for breast cancer, and has since become an advocate for breast cancer awareness.^[5] Kotb allowed Today Show cameras to follow her throughout her cancer ordeal and, after she was announced cancer-free, her story was documented on the show.

She was the keynote speaker at her alma mater for the 2008 Virginia Tech graduation, where she lightened the mood by playing "Enter Sandman" over her iPod ^[6].

[edit] Career

• 1986: Kotb began her career with CBS News as a news assistant in Cairo, Egypt
• 1986–1989: Hoda was a morning anchor and general assignment reporter for WQAD-TV, the ABC affiliate in Moline, Illinois and an anchor for WXVT-TV, the CBS affiliate for Greenville and Greenwood, Mississippi
• 1989–1991: Hoda was a weekend anchor and reporter for WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida
• 1992–1998: Hoda was anchor and reporter at WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans, Louisiana
• 1998–present: Hoda has been a Dateline NBC correspondent.
• 2004–present: Host of the weekly syndicated series Your Total Health
• 2007–present: Co-host of the new 4th hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford.

[edit] Awards

Kotb is the recipient of a number of awards, including the 2008 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the Peabody Award in 2006 for her Dateline NBC report, "The Education of Ms. Groves."

The four-time Emmy nominee also won the 2004 Headliner Award, the 2003 Gracie Award, and the 2002 Edward R. Murrow Award.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official MSNBC bio
• "Calling Helen Thomas" by David Chambers in Saudi Aramco World