Hoda Kotb's Breakup With Joel Schiffman Was More Complicated Than We Realized

Hoda Kotb didn't go into excessive detail about her breakup from her longtime fiancé Joel Schiffman when she announced their split in 2022. While addressing the absence of her ring on "Today with Hoda & Jenna," the television host shared, "... we decided that we're better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple. So we decided that we are going to start this new year and begin it kind of on our new path." She made sure to note that there was no scandal of any sort, but gave no other details as to why she and Schiffman parted ways. Three years later, Kotb offered more insight while appearing on "Today" as a guest. "I went to this retreat and had kind of an epiphany about my life, and I was realizing that you can love someone ... but that person isn't right for you in that moment," she shared. Kotb was ready to let go and find herself again after the breakup, telling Savannah Guthrie, "And you can say to yourself, 'Wow, I'm ready to try to get other buckets of mine filled.'"

Kotb hinted to the outlet in another sit-down interview that her connection with Schiffman just wasn't there. "I think sometimes you know that a relationship is — I would say good — but you think to yourself it's not deepening," she mused. She revealed that she tried to save the relationship, adding, "[You] want to make things work, and sometimes, things don't." Despite losing her long-term partner, Kotb is grateful for her time with Schiffman, as she now has two special people in her life because of him.

Hoda Kotb, a news anchor you won't recognize without makeup, is living life with no regrets. After announcing her breakup with Joel Schiffman in 2022, the former "Today" anchor told People that she doesn't look at her time with the financier as a waste. "I have two incredible children I share with him. And it's because of Joel that I have Haley and Hope, without question. I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone. That's not something I love to admit, but it's true," she stated. Kotb, who adopted Haley in 2017, and Hope in 2019 with Schiffman, now co-parent peacefully. "He'll have a Saturday, and I'll do the Sunday. We switch each week. He'll take the girls and do some fun things, and I'll take some quiet time. It's a healthy mix, and the kids love it. He's a great dad," she told the publication. It sounds like Kotb and Schiffman managed to facilitate a healthy breakup.

Kotb's two daughters are everything to her, and she told E! News that they always come first, no matter what. "They ride front seat, they ride sidecar. They don't ride in the back. Nothing else gets this seat," she said, gesturing beside her. "Career doesn't get this seat, time doesn't get this seat. They get this seat," she reiterated. "I want them to know that I chose them." We're not crying, you're crying!