HODA Kotb has revealed the reason she broke up with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman after eight years together.
The TODAY show co-host, 60, reflected on her long-term relationship with the New York-based financier during an appearance on self-improvement podcast The Jamie Kern Lima on Tuesday, August 13.
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Hoda told host Jamie Kern Lima that she and Joel split up because they were “growing at two different paces” and ultimately not “in sync” with each other.
“[Joel] really is a great human being,” she began. “And I feel like I’m a pretty great human being, but sometimes two great human beings together isn’t quite enough to make it work.
“And I think when people are growing at two different paces it’s hard to be in sync,” Hoda continued, adding “a lot of people are probably in these situations.”
Elsewhere, during the interview, Hoda expressed hope for the future, adding she feels confident her perfect match “is coming” because she’s grown into her most authentic self over time.
“When I close my eyes and I envision the romantic part of my life, I can see it very clearly,” she told Jamie. “Because for the first time in my life I am me.
“Someone is meeting me. Not the version that you might want, or not the version that I’ll twist a little bit to fit your needs or what is appealing to you,” Hoda continued. “This is who I am…”
The Daytime Emmy winner said that while she doesn’t have a physical type, Hoda will recognize her future partner by the “soul of that person.”
She concluded, “I know the way that my life is, that is coming. So many things have taken so much time to show up in my life and I don’t mind it one bit.”
Hoda first confirmed she and Joel had ended their engagement on January 31, 2022, breaking the news during an episode of the TODAY show.
Joel and Hoda got engaged in November 2019 after dating for six years.
Together, the former couple adopted two daughters, Haley Joy, seven and Hope Catherine, four.
Shortly after confirming their breakup, Hoda credited Joel as the reason “I have Haley and Hope” in an interview with People magazine.
“I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone,” the daytime TV host explained.
Hoda, who celebrated her 60th birthday earlier this month, recently shared how her breast cancer diagnosis in 2007 “killer her dream” of becoming pregnant.
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She recently opened up about her cancer journey on the Making Space podcast.
“I do remember that even the doctor said to me then, you know, one of the sort of side effects, especially at your age, which was in my 40s, early 40s, is you won’t be able to have children,” Hoda said.
“And I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ So this thing not only put limits on my life, but killed a dream.”
Hoda has been cancer-free since she underwent a mastectomy in 2007.
READY TO MINGLE
Hoda revealed she went on her first date since her split from Joel during an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show in March
“That’s huge, even to be in a place to do that,” Kelly replied.
However, Jenna Bush Hager later confirmed Hoda’s relationship status on the TODAY show in April, adding her co-host was single and “looking for the one.”
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