Thanksgiving was all about family for Hoda Kotb this year, but one familiar face was notably absent from the table—her former fiancé, Joel Schiffman. The couple parted ways almost two years ago, but whispers of a potential reconciliation have kept fans guessing. Hoda, however, seems to be taking it all in stride, focusing on what truly matters: celebrating the holiday with her loved ones.
At 59 years old, Hoda gathered her family around her NYC home for a heartwarming Thanksgiving celebration. Her mom, siblings, and her two adorable kids, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, joined her for the festivities. She even shared some sweet moments from their dinner on Instagram, but notably, Joel wasn't there to partake in the celebration. The financier, who is 65, has maintained a supportive role in their lives, even if he wasn't physically present.
The morning of Thanksgiving saw Hoda in her element, commentating on the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside her coanchors, the ever-gracious Savannah Guthrie and the legendary Al Roker. As she wrapped up her duties at the parade by welcoming Santa Claus, she made her way to join her children. Haley and Hope, whom she adopted during her relationship with Joel, were waiting to spend the holiday together.
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When Hoda and Joel first announced their split, it sent shockwaves through the Today show audience. Some eagle-eyed fans noticed the absence of Hoda's engagement ring before the official announcement. But Hoda, ever the resilient one, expressed feeling "really brave" about the decision. It wasn't a sudden breakup; instead, it was a thoughtful choice made after much reflection.
A Seasonal Relationship
From the start, Hoda emphasized that she and Joel planned to remain friends. She shared this with her viewers on January 31, 2022, explaining, “Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays, and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than as an engaged couple. So, we decided to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends.” Hoda added that sometimes relationships are meant for a season rather than a lifetime, and theirs had been for a season.
Co-Parenting and Hope for Reconciliation
Even after their split, Hoda and Joel have continued to co-parent their daughters, Haley, 6, and Hope, 4. Recently, they were spotted taking the girls trick-or-treating around New York City, dressed in matching costumes. Their cooperation as parents has been commendable, showing that their bond as a family remains strong despite their personal differences.
On November 16, an insider revealed exclusively to Closer that Hoda might be open to reconciling with Joel. "She realized there really isn’t anyone better for her than Joel," the source said. "Hoda's hopeful that things are moving in the right direction. Her friends think there's still chemistry between them, and Hoda has privately admitted that Joel will always be The One for her."
Her cohost, Jenna Hager Bush, even offered to set her up on a date in October 2022, and Hoda was game for it. However, no serious relationships developed, and the insider noted that Hoda came to the realization that "no one compares to Joel." Whether or not they'll rekindle their romance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Hoda is focused on what truly matters—her family and the people who bring joy into her life.
