Hoda Kotb exited “Today” in January 2025 after 26 years with NBC. Since then, the beloved journalist and talk show host has been open about her desire to find love but is also waiting for the right time. Recently, the 62-year-old revealed that she’s been texting with a man she met on a flight.
Regarding her romantic life, Kotb was married to Burzis Kanga from 2005 until filing for divorce in 2007. In 2013, she began dating Joel Schiffman, and they became engaged in November 2019. However, they ended the engagement in January 2022. She dated on and off in subsequent years.
Former ‘Today’ Host Hoda Kotb Is Texting With a ‘Very Handsome’ Man
Kotb appeared on the August 21 broadcast of NBC’s “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.” During the episode, co-host Jenna Bush Hager asked her for an update on her romantic life, noting that “everybody likes to talk about your love life.”
She responded, “Well, here’s the thing. This is not a real love connection.” After that, she stated that she had met someone during a recent flight. Kotb continued, “It was the weirdest connection in the world. We were both crying.”
The NBC alum then said, “It was strange. You know, when you have one of those [conversations where] everything is firing on all cylinders?” After that, Kotb shared that the mystery man was also in disbelief over the encounter. According to her, “He kept saying, ‘Is this a dream? Is this real?'”
The story didn’t end there, as Kotb later ran into the man while in Cannes to discuss her lifestyle and wellness company, Joy 101. She recalled, “Our company went to Cannes so we could talk about our company, and he was in the audience, randomly.”
Regarding where they stand today, she shared, “So, we have texted recently. Look. There are connections. The “Today” alum added, “I don’t know what it is.”
Hoda Has Discussed Her Love Life Before
GettyKotb, who shares two adopted daughters with her former partner, Schiffman, opened up to PEOPLE in May 2025 about her quest for love, revealing that she believed she’d know when the time was right.
She said, “I’ve been really getting my sea legs. When it happens will be the time it’s supposed to happen.” The former talk show host then said, “When things are supposed to end, they end. And when things are supposed to begin, they begin. But you have to be wide open because if you’re not, it’s not happening.”
Then, regarding the prospect of dating, she stated, “So I think that chapter is yet to come, but I know it’s coming. And I’m excited for that chapter.”
During the interview, Kotb also discussed her reasoning for leaving “Today.” She explained, “I wasn’t able to bear witness to my kids’ daily lives because of what I was doing.”
From there, she discussed how her life has changed since leaving the show. According to her, “It’s really cool to just realize that there’s so much more to life.” Kotb continued, “I used to think life was the big things, but it really is all the stuff that happens in between.”
Still, despite leaving the show, she makes appearances and has launched a digital interview series, “Joy Rides.”
