“Hoda Kotb Opens Up About the Heartbreaking ‘Epiphany’ That Ended Her 8-Year Love Story With Joel Schiffman: ‘Love Wasn’t Enough Anymore’”
Hoda Kotb, beloved co-anchor of NBC’s Today, is opening up about the raw and painful moment that made her realize her long-term relationship with financier Joel Schiffman had reached its end. In a candid new interview, the 60-year-old morning show star described a life-changing “epiphany” that came during a retreat — a moment of clarity that told her it was time to let go of the romance she once thought would last forever.
Kotb and Schiffman, who began dating in 2013, became engaged in 2019 and share two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. To the outside world, their life together appeared picture-perfect. But Kotb admitted she had been quietly struggling, often “pretending” things were fine even as doubts lingered.
“I loved him then, and I still love him now,” Kotb revealed. “But love by itself wasn’t enough anymore. I realized I was sprinting through life, trying to make everything fit, and at some point I stopped and knew in my heart that it wasn’t working the way it needed to.”
The retreat, she explained, gave her space to pause, reflect, and face the truth she had been avoiding. “I had an epiphany — a painful one. I knew it was time. That moment broke my heart, but it also freed me.”
The couple announced their split publicly in early 2022, stressing that the breakup was amicable. Kotb reiterated that sentiment now, emphasizing that there was no betrayal or dramatic fallout. Instead, it was simply the realization that their paths were no longer aligned.
“There wasn’t anger. There wasn’t bitterness. It was just this deep knowing that we weren’t growing in the same direction anymore,” she said. “I had to stop pretending and start living in the truth.”
Despite the breakup, Kotb and Schiffman have maintained a strong bond as co-parents, focusing on providing stability and love for their daughters. “Our kids come first, always,” Kotb said. “Joel is a wonderful dad, and we’ve worked hard to make sure the girls feel loved and supported.”
As for her own future, Kotb says she isn’t rushing into romance again. She admitted to going on her first date in 2024, but explained she is more interested in finding a true “soul connection” than jumping into anything quickly. “I’m filling other buckets in my life — my family, my career, my friendships. If love comes again, I want it to be the right kind, the deep kind.”
Fans of the Emmy-winning broadcaster have praised her for her honesty, noting that her story resonates with anyone who has had to walk away from someone they still care about.
Kotb’s revelation serves as a reminder that endings don’t always mean failure — sometimes they are simply the first step toward a new chapter. And for Kotb, that chapter is one of authenticity, healing, and hope for the future.
