Veteran Today Show host Hoda Kotb Opens Up about Post-Breakup Pain that left fans in Tears!
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Everything Hoda Kotb Has Said About Being Single After Shocking Breakup With Ex Joel Schiffman
After announcing her breakup from former fiancé Joel Schiffman, Hoda Kotb has a new outlook on love! The Today host has been candid about being open to romance despite their shocking split.
They first met in 2013 at an event in NYC. It didn’t take long for their connection to blossom into a relationship. In November 2019, Hoda shared during an episode of Today that Joel had popped the question. Viewers of Today were not expecting their breakup announcement in 2022.
“Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we’re better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we are going to start this new year … on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends,” Hoda said.
Now, she’s enjoying her single era!
Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram
On Her Breakup
During an episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show in August 2024, Hoda explained why her relationship with Joel ended.
“Joel is one of the best people I know, and he really is a great human being,” the broadcaster said. “And I feel like I’m a pretty great human being, but sometimes two great human beings together isn’t quite enough to make it work.”
She went on to say that they were “growing at different paces,” making it hard for them to “be in sync.”
“I think a lot of people are probably in these situations,” Hoda shared. “One person’s growing … or one person wants it this way, and one person wants it that way.”
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On Branching Out
Hoda revealed that Today cohost Jenna Bush Hager set her up with a mystery man in March 2024. But after three dates, they decided to call it quits.
“I did go on the third date, but I did kind of decide in that space because this person, who’s a lovely human being, has a lot of things that are being worked out that I think I’m looking for more kind of simplicity,” she said.
“I think when you reach a phase like I was very much a fixer in life … sometimes you’re like, you know what, let’s just pause that instinct because that is my instinct,” Hoda admitted.
Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram
On Welcoming Romance
In August 2024, Hoda gave a hopeful update on her quest for lasting love. “I can see romance clearly, I just can. It’s how you know something is meant to be,” she told Page Six.
“I thought 50 was great, but 60 may be it!” she continued. “I feel like this is the season of repotting and growth. There’s this feeling that the roots are up in the air, but then you land in this rich soil and you’re like, ‘Oh, more room to grow.’”
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On Slipping Up
During an episode of Today in January 2024, Hoda revealed that she had “fallen into old habits,” hinting that she hooked up with an unamed ex.
“And I did regret it after the old habit happened,” she continued. “It’s like one of those things that you say to yourself, ‘Just a little more willpower and I would have been fine.’”
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On Finding Herself
Hoda revealed in an August 2022 interview with People that she and Joel have worked hard to create a coparenting arrangement that fits their busy schedules. The former couple “have it down” and spend as much time as possible with their little ones. Although their split was a shock to Today viewers and longtime fans, the Oklahoma native is ready to explore the possibility of falling in love again in the future.
“I’ve had past loves, and I feel like I’ll have future loves,” she explained. “Once you know who you are all the way, then love can come in. You know how people say the older you get, the more you know who you are? I think someone who meets me now will meet me for real.”
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On Keeping Her Heart Open
In May 2022, the cast and crew of Today celebrated the program’s 70th anniversary with an event at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. Hoda opened up about the potential of finding a partner in the future.
“I haven’t really thought about who I would see myself with, but I do have to say something,” she said. “My sister even said and asked me at one point, ‘Are you afraid to be by yourself?’ And I said to her, ‘I’m not going to be by myself.’ And I don’t know why I said it so clearly, but I actually knew that my heart is open. I have an open heart.”
She added, “It’s not hard. It’s not covered over. So, I know at some point, and I can see it, it will happen. When? I can’t say but I assured her, I said, ‘Oh, don’t worry. No worries.’ I said, ‘I’m going to be just fine.’”
Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram
On Having a Fun Summer
Hoda was in good spirits at The Hollywood Reporter’s Annual Most Powerful People in New York Media event in May 2022.
“It’s a feral girl summer, and we’re leading the charge!” she told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet.
The former Dateline anchor said she was “tiptoeing along” when it came to her dating life. Ultimately, the thing she was looking forward to the most in summer was spending time with her family.
”I’m really enjoying my kids and my life,” she said. “I’m treasuring this time.”
Her Today cohost Savannah Guthrie chimed in, “And anybody who wants to date Hoda has to go through us first.”
Courtesy of Hoda Kotb/Instagram
On Having No Regrets
While it wasn’t an easy decision to end her relationship, the television personality has no regrets about the huge life transition.
“We all make choices that are for us, and I feel strong, and I feel good about my decision,” she told Daily Mail in May 2022. “I’m just kind of marching on with life.”
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On Love
In an April 2022 interview with Us Weekly, Hoda shared that Joel “sees the kids” and brings them to school. The pair have “a really nice, easy situation.” She also opened up about her thoughts on love and romance.
“I think love is a funny thing,” the broadcaster said. “Like, your heart has a large capacity and who knows what fills it up. But I think whatever it is, you’ve got to be open and ready.”
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On Her Past
Hoda is hopeful that she will one day find love again.
“I’ve had wonderful relationships in my life,” Hoda told USA Today in May 2025. “They’ve been very loving relationships, but I don’t think the real thing yet.”
“If I’m really honest with myself, I think that’s another thing that I am really, really, really looking forward to and can clearly visualize,” she said. “And I hope one day that I actually get to really feel it for real instead of imagining what it would feel like.”
