How Did 'Today' Host Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman Meet? A Timeline of the Former Couple's Relationship

Relationships are not always easy, and "Today" show co-host Hoda Kotb knows this firsthand. She and her longtime partner Joel Schiffman parted ways two years after getting engaged.

Nothing lasts forever, but Hoda Kotb's fans cannot help but feel sorry about her failed relationship with New York financier Joel Schiffman, mainly because everyone thought she had finally found the one.

Kotb announced in January 2022 that she and Schiffman were no longer together. They realized they were better off as friends and parents than as a couple, with Kotb even admitting to feeling good and "strong" about her decision. Read on and learn everything about Kotb and Schiffman's romance.

HOW DID HODA KOTB AND JOEL SCHIFFMAN MEET?

Their love story started in 2013, and it was straight out of a romantic comedy. Kotb attended an event with the "Wall Street guys" and stuck around to sign autographs.

It was Schiffman's turn, and he asked her to sign a photo. They had a brief but exciting exchange, and Kotb noticed Schiffman had no wedding ring, so she asked someone from the event to get more information about him.

The staff member emailed Schiffman, and he eventually contacted Kotb. After messaging each other for a while, he asked her out, and they hit it off right away.

Kotb and Schiffman kept their relationship under wraps until 2015 when they started making public appearances and posting photos on social media.

One year later, Kotb announced she and Schiffman decided to live together. She joked that she was concerned about herself as a co-habitant, adding that it wouldn't be easy for Schiffman.

The former couple adopted two daughters during their time together. Haley Joy joined the family in February 2017, and Hope Catherine came later in April 2019.

This is not the first time Kotb has ended a long-term relationship.

WHEN DID HODA AND JOEL GET ENGAGED?

In November 2019, Kotb and Schiffman announced their engagement. The financier popped the question in the middle of their tropical vacation, right after having dinner on the beach. Kotb explained:

"[Schiffman] was like, 'I have something else I would like to say,' and he said some beautiful things, and then he got down on one knee. Then he said, 'Would you be my wife?'"

The ring he chose surprised her. It features a squared diamond surrounded by little blue sapphires, and it has an estimated value of over $250,000.

Unfortunately, Kotb and Schiffman realized marriage wouldn't work and called it quits around Christmas 2021 after eight years together.

HAS HODA BEEN MARRIED BEFORE?

This is not the first time Kotb has ended a long-term relationship. She was previously married to former University of New Orleans tennis coach Burzis Kanga.

Kotb and Kanga met in New Orleans in the mid-1990s at a fund-raiser event for the American Heart Association's Valentine's Day. They dated on and off for years before turning their relationship switch to the permanent "on" position in the mid-2000s.

He proposed in May 2005, and they tied the knot that December. Three years later, they got divorced. After breaking up with Schiffman, Kotb said she wanted to focus on her children instead of looking for another partner. Family first!