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In an Monday, August 12 interview, Hoda Kotb opened up to cosmetics mogul and podcast host Jamie Kern Lima about her split from her ex-fiance Joel Schiffman in 2022. The Today host, who also turned 60 on August 12, explained that Joel “really is a great human being,” but that “sometimes two great human beings together isn’t quite enough to make it work.”
Kern Lima, 47, asked if Kotb’s journey of “profound inner work” in 2021 was related to the breakup, and Kotb thought it was. “When people are growing at different paces, it’s hard to be in sync,” she elaborated. “One person wants it this way and one person wants it that way.” Kotb seemed to imply that her rate of growth and change was not aligned with that of her ex.
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Despite the heartbreak of saying goodbye to Schiffman, with whom she co-parents their adopted daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, Kotb feels confident about herself and her romantic future. “For the first time in my life,” the TV personality explained, “I am me. Not the version that you might want, or the version that I’ll twist a little bit.” Because of that self-assuredness, she said that her heart can “rest” and not worry about who her future romantic partner will be. “My sister asked me, ‘Aren’t you nervous you’re not going to meet someone?’ and I said, ‘No, I’m actually not.'” the journalist told Kern Lima. “Love is coming.”
According to E! News, Kotb and Schiffman were introduced in 2008 by Kotb’s producer and were together for 8 years. Prior to Schiffman, she was married to University of New Orleans tennis coach, Burzis Kanga, from 2005 until 2008.
In considering whether she’s ready for love right now, Kotb noted that she likes to take stock of what she has “space for” in her heart and her life. “I have space for a Friday night,” she laughed. “That’s all.”
