Hoda Kotb left the Today Show in 2025 to spend more time with her two children. She shares two daughters with her former fiance, Joel Schiffman. They were together from 2013 until their split in 2022. Despite the breakup, the two remain close. Hoda Kotb and her ex had a sweet reunion for a special occasion. Keep reading for all the heartwarming details.
Today Host Hoda Kotb Shares Sweet Moment With Former Fiance
Many couples who split up never talk to each other again or have limited contact if they have children together. But not Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman. The former couple began dating in 2013 but kept their relationship out of the public eye until two years later.
In 2017, they adopted Haley Joy. The Today Show host was 52 when she became a parent. They welcomed another daughter, Hope, into their family in 2019. That same year, Joel Schiffman proposed. However, they never tied the knot. They called off the engagement in 2022.
Hoda Kotb has never shared details about why they split. However, she shared her belief that they were better off as friends and co-parents. In a rarity, she never speaks badly about her ex. If anything, she constantly praises him for helping her fulfill her dream of being a mother.
The former couple often spend the holidays together with their two kids. They reunited this month for another special occasion. Hoda Kotb posted a sweet birthday shout-out to her ex on social media. “Happy bday to the best DAD!!!” she captioned the post, which included several photos from the special event.
In one photo, Haley and Joy sit on their dad’s lap. Another photo shows the unconventional family of four.
Fans React To Their Close Relationship
Hoda Kotb’s social media followers flooded the comments with birthday wishes for her former fiance. There were also numerous comments praising the former couple for co-parenting together.
- “I am so happy that you remained friends through it all and that he is so present in the girls lives. It takes a really special bond for that to work.”
- “Love this- the epitome of grace and elegance. Co-parenting at its finest”
- “Love the way your family celebrates each other. Wonderful mom and dad for those girls!!!”
- “Wonderful that you’re all a ‘family’”
- “What a special relationship y’all have that gives so much to your girls!”
- “Happy Birthday to Daddy! What a beautiful family”
It’s rare for former couples to co-parent their children as well as Hoda Kotb and her ex. She’s been filling on for Savannah Guthrie on the Today Show. Savannah Guthrie is reportedly returning in early April. Hoda Kotb has an upcoming interview with her co-host about her mother’s shocking disappearance.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
