Hoda Kotb, Joel Breakup: Quotes About Being Single, Dating

After announcing her breakup from former fiancé Joel Schiffman in January 2022, Hoda Kotb has a new outlook on love! The Today host has been very candid about opening up her heart again to romance despite their shocking split.

The former couple first met in 2013 at an event in New York City. It didn’t take long for their connection to blossom into a beautiful relationship. In November 2019, she shared during an episode of Today that the financier had popped the question.

“Joel got down on his knee and he looked up at me and we were both crying,” the New York Times bestselling author told People at the time. “He had tears coming down and he could barely get it out. He said, ‘Will you be my wife?’”

The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in their plans to wed, forcing them to postpone their wedding several times. However, the couple were elated that they got to spend more time at home with their daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, whom they welcomed during their relationship via adoption.

During an October 2021 episode of the “Me Becoming Mom” podcast, Hoda revealed that she and Joel told their daughters that they were adopted.

“I tell them they were adopted, and I’m not sure if they 100 percent know what that means,” she explained. “I always say, ‘You didn’t come from Mommy’s tummy, you came from my heart.’ And they understand that.”

Joel also has one daughter, Kyle Schiffman, from a previous relationship. Together, they made a blended family, sharing sweet memories on Instagram. Viewers of Today were not expecting the Oklahoma native’s breakup announcement to kick off 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 told viewers.

That same month, an insider told Closer that Hoda and Joel were “both at an age where they don’t feel the pressure to stay together just because they have young children and got engaged.” The pair “didn’t overcomplicate things” when it came to coparenting and prioritizing their girls.

Keep scrolling to see everything Hoda has said about being single after her breakup with Joel.

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.”

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.'”

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.”

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.”

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.”