Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman have stated that they are ‘better as friends and parents’ than as a partnership after eight years together. What you need to know about Hoda’s ex-fiancé is included below.
Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman have ended their relationship. «Over the holidays, Joel and I had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations, and we decided that we’re better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,» Hoda said on TODAY on Jan. 31, «so we decided to start this new year… on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends.» Hoda explained that their relationship had run its course, not because «anything happened.»
Here are five things you should know about Joel Schiffman as Hoda and Joel negotiate their new path.
Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman in 2018
1. In 2013, Joel met Hoda.
According to her appearance on Watch What Happens Life, Hoda met Joel at an event she «didn’t want to attend to.» When Joel approached Hoda as she was getting ready to leave the event, she signed a few autographs. The Today show host was so taken by their encounter that she gave him her email address. Since then, they’ve been together!
Hoda Kotb and her longtime partner, Joel Schiffman, got engaged in November 2019 after years of dating. On an episode of Today, the news was revealed, and Hoda was overjoyed as she shared a romantic photo from her engagement.
The proposal looked to take place on the beach, with the happy couple standing in front of their names carved in the sand while Hoda displayed her magnificent ring. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple had to postpone their wedding several times.
2. He has previously been married.
Joel had a committed relationship before meeting Hoda, and he has a grown daughter named Kyle Schiffman from that marriage. Joel has become the father to Haley and Hope, whom Hoda adopted, after his relationship with her. When Hoda asked Joel about adoption during her appearance on The Wendy Williams Show, she said she «knew I’d chosen the perfect man.»
3. Joel was the first to tell Hoda that he adored her!
Hoda shared with her co-host Jenna Bush Hager how Joel disclosed his actual feelings during an edition of Today. Hoda said she had to «sit with that for a minute» after hearing him pronounce those three keywords. After a little pause, Hoda told Joel that she, too, adored him!
4. Joel is a finance professional.
Joel worked at an investment management firm as the Head of US Defined Contribution and Insurance Sales as of 2021. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked with Janus Henderson Investors for almost three years as Vice President and Director of Financial Institutions.
5. He holds two bachelor’s degrees.
Joel graduated from the University of California with a Bachelor’s degree in 1981. After a few years, he went to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, a private Ivy League university, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1995.
