On Jan. 31, 2021, Hoda Kotb, who is mom to 4-year-old Haley and 2-year-old Hope, announced a split with her fiance of eight years, Joel Schiffman, while dealing with the disappointment of not being able to cover the Winter Olympics in person this year.
Kotb, who hosts the 10 a.m. hour of “Today” along with Jenna Bush Hager, spoke about the split on air.
“Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and really meaningful conversations over the holidays, and we decided that we’re better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,” she said.
And, while her kids are thrilled that she will be home rather than traveling, missing the Olympics is still a professional setback for Kotb, who likened the work trip to being at summer camp.
“Normally, this is two weeks where we get to bond and have a great time as a team,” Kotb told People. “So that part I’m missing, because I love that part. That’s the bummer part of it.”
Though both Savannah Guthrie and Kotb admit that their families are always thrilled when they return from professional travels, it’s (family) business as usual soon after.
“No one wants to leave their kids behind for two weeks,” Kotb said (via People). “When you come home and walk in the door it’s like a ticker-tape parade — one that ends quickly!”
