Hoda Kotb Reflects on Her Split from Joel Schiffman: “We Were Growing at Different Paces”
Hoda Kotb. Nathan Congleton/NBC
Hoda Kotb has opened up about her split from ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, revealing that they were “growing at different paces” before their breakup. The Today With Hoda & Jenna cohost shared her thoughts on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, stating, “I think a lot of people are probably in these situations. One person’s growing… or one person wants it this way, and one person wants it that way.” Kotb, 60, added that it’s “hard to be in sync.”
Despite their split, Kotb still holds Schiffman in high regard, calling him “one of the best people I know” and a “great human being.” She acknowledged that sometimes, two great individuals together isn’t enough to make a relationship work.
The couple’s relationship came to an end in January 2022, after eight years together. Kotb announced the news on Today With Hoda & Jenna, explaining that they had “prayerful and really meaningful conversations” over the holidays and decided to go their separate ways. She stated, “We decided that we are going to start this new year and begin it kind of on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends.”
Joel Schiffman, Hoda Kotb. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Since their breakup, Kotb and Schiffman have continued to co-parent their daughters, Haley and Hope, whom they adopted in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Kotb has been open about her dating life, revealing in March that she had gone on a date after two years. She shared that she was going on her third date with a mystery man in May, calling him “really handsome.”