Elisabeth Hasselbeck leaving 'Fox & Friends'

Opting for motherhood over morning TV, "Fox & Friends" host Elisabeth Hasselbeck announced on Monday that she will leave the program by year's end to raise her three children.

In a statement that seemed crafted to derail any speculation that the decision to leave was anyone's but hers alone -- she said: "With a heart full of gratitude and the peace that God has given me, I am confident that this personal decision is the right one for our family, and we will be joining all of you watching 'Fox & Friends' each morning as we get ready for school together."

Fox News chief Roger Ailes added, "Elisabeth and I discussed this at length over several weeks, and while I would love for her to continue here, I respect her incredibly difficult, yet deeply personal decision. She has been a great addition to the 'Fox & Friends' franchise."

There appeared to be nothing on-air over the last two years that indicated problems, or -- perhaps more tellingly -- nothing in the gossip columns either. "F&F" has remained the morning cable news leader since she joined in September 2013, and -- again, by all appearances -- Hasselbeck fit in seamlessly, as a conservative among fellow conservatives Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade. By contrast, her run of nearly a decade at "The View" was colorful, occasionally combative, rarely dull. While there, she stood out. At "F&F," she has blended in.

Married to former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck -- brother of Matt, 40, currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts -- the couple has three children, between the ages of 6 and 10.

In a statement, Fox said, "A variety of rotating co-hosts will take Hasselbeck's seat until a replacement is named."

By Verne J Gay

Verne.Gay@newsday.com@vernejgay

Verne J Gay is the television critic