The sun-kissed smile, the warm on-camera presence, and the infectious enthusiasm of Hoda Kotb – it’s no wonder she’s become a household name. As a beloved co-host of NBC’s Today show, Hoda has won the hearts of millions with her charming wit and genuine warmth. But amidst her professional success, fans have always been curious about the personal life of this TV icon. Is Hoda Kotb married? Has she found her perfect match amidst the chaos of her busy career? In this article, we’re diving into the fascinating world of Hoda’s relationships, exploring the highs and lows of her journey to find love. From her early days as a single mom to her recent romantic escapades, get ready to uncover the untold story of Hoda’s love life, and discover if she’s finally found her happily ever after.
Hoda Kotb’s Romantic History
Joel Schiffman
Hoda was in a long-term relationship with fiancé Joel Schiffman until they parted ways in early 2022. According to PEOPLE, Schiffman works in finance, and the former couple met in 2013 at a Wall Street event she wasn’t particularly enthused about attending.
“I asked someone from the place — I asked, ‘Will you find out his situation?’ ” she confessed during a 2015 episode of Watch What Happens Live. “Because I didn’t know anything about him. I knew he didn’t have a wedding ring, but that’s all I knew. Then she emailed him and he emailed me and asked me out on a date.”
They kept their relationship away from the public eye until 2015 in order to protect it. Hoda and Joel adopted two daughters, Haley in 2017, and Hope in 2019. In November 2019, Schiffman proposed during a beachside dinner, with a planned wedding for a year later. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, putting a pin in their plans.
In 2022, they announced their separation. The duo continues to peacefully co-parent their children and according to Kotb, they remain friends. “Joel is one of the best people I know,” she declared during an August 2024 episode of the Jamie Kern Lima Show. “He really is a great human being. And I feel like I’m a great human being. But sometimes two great human beings together isn’t enough to make it work.”
Burzis Kanga
According to Living New Orleans, Kotb married University of New Orleans tennis coach Burzis Kanga in 2005. “I met him about a year and a half after I came to New Orleans at a fund-raiser for the American Heart Association’s Valentine’s Day and we were both single,” she told the outlet during a 2006 interview.
“And of course, I had moved up to New York, but later we ended up connecting again.” She told the outlet at the time that married life had been “great.” “We love just kind of knocking around New York, doing some Broadway plays, going out to eat,” she said.
However, it wasn’t meant to be, and the former couple divorced three years later in 2008.
Is Hoda Kotb Married?
Hoda is not married as of 2024. She was previously married to Burzis Kanga. The two wed in 2005, but ultimately called it quits just three years later in 2008.
Hoda was also engaged to Joel Schiffman. However, the couple never officially tied the knot and split in 2022.
What Happened Between Hoda Kotb and Burzis Kanga?
Hoda first met Burzis at a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the American Heart Association in New Orleans. After she and Burzis said “I do,” Hoda opened up about their relationship in a 2006 interview with New Orleans Living Magazine.
“We have been dating off and on for years. And of course, I had moved up to New York, but later we ended up connecting again,” Hoda told the publication in June 2006.
“He proposed last May, and we married in December. And married life has been great! We love just kind of knocking around New York, doing some Broadway plays, going out to eat. There’s a neighborhood bar that we like that plays soul music. If I would have known it was this much fun, I probably would have done it a long time ago!”
In 2007, Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer after her doctor discovered some abnormalities during a routine scan. At the same time, her marriage to Burzis was coming to an end.
“I went through a divorce and breast cancer simultaneously, and I remembered in that time barely functioning, and I was thinking to myself, like, ‘Is this it? Is this how it goes?’” Hoda said during an October 2023 episode of Today.
“I was thinking about some of my lowest moments during that time. What was contributing to all of it was I was in horrible health, and I didn’t care about that piece of it, and you don’t realize how bad it gets and then you’re compounding it, your health gets worse, because you’re not well, and [it] went on and on.”
Hoda and Burzis’ divorce was finalized in 2008.
Hoda Kotb’s Personal Life
Family and Upbringing
Kotb was born to Egyptian Muslim parents in Norman, Oklahoma, and grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia. She lived in New Orleans throughout the 1990s.
Kotb and her family lived in Egypt for a year, as well as in Nigeria. She has a brother, Adel, and a sister, Hala. Her mother, Sameha (“Sami”), worked at the Library of Congress.
Her father, Abdel Kader Kotb (1932–1985), was a fossil energy specialist and was listed in the Who’s Who of Technology.
Career and Achievements
Kotb’s first on-air job after college was at then-CBS affiliate WXVT in Greenville, Mississippi.
She then moved to ABC affiliate WQAD in Moline, Illinois as a reporter from 1988 to 1989.
From 1992 to 1998, Kotb was an anchor and reporter for CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In 2011, Martina McBride asked Kotb to be featured in her music video for “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” a ballad dedicated to cancer survivors.
NBC News
Kotb officially joined NBC News in April 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and all NBC News platforms.
She was the first host of Today’s first fourth-hour weekday morning broadcast at 10:00 a.m. in September 2007 and was joined by Kathie Lee Gifford as a co-host in April 2008.
Gifford was later succeeded by Jenna Bush Hager in April 2019, following Gifford’s departure from the show.
On February 23, 2015, Kotb began hosting a live, one-hour show twice a week on Sirius XM’s Today channel, discussing casual water cooler topics.
On January 2, 2018, Kotb was named co-anchor of Today with Savannah Guthrie
Conclusion
In conclusion, our exploration of Hoda Kotb’s romantic life has revealed a complex and intriguing tale of love, loss, and ultimately, self-discovery. From her early days as a single mother to her current status as a devoted partner to Joel Schiffman, Hoda’s journey has been marked by a willingness to take risks and prioritize her personal happiness. Through her experiences, we’ve seen how she’s navigated the challenges of modern dating, the importance of vulnerability, and the power of embracing uncertainty. As we’ve examined her relationships, it’s clear that Hoda’s commitment to honesty, empathy, and communication has been a guiding force in her romantic journey.
The significance of Hoda’s story extends far beyond her own personal experiences, however. Her willingness to be open and authentic about her relationships serves as a powerful reminder that even the most public figures are not immune to the complexities and uncertainties of love. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern relationships, Hoda’s story offers a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging us to approach our own romantic journeys with courage, vulnerability, and an openness to growth. As we look to the future, it’s clear that Hoda’s story will continue to captivate and inspire, offering valuable lessons on the importance of love, relationships, and living life on one’s own terms.