Reality TV
Hoda Kotb Hopes to Get Engaged to Boyfriend Joel Schiffman Soon: “She’s Over the Moon!” (EXCLUSIVE)
It's been quite an eventful few years for Hoda Kotb! After finding love with boyfriend Joel Schiffman and adopting a baby girl named Haley Joy Kotb, the 53-year-old star was named the new co-anchor of Today on Tuesday, Jan. 2 — and we couldn't be happier for her! Following the news of Hoda's impressive new gig, many fans have been wondering if wedding bells might soon ring for Hoda and Joel. Though the two aren't yet engaged, a source close to the journalist recently told Closer Weekly that Hoda hopes to get married soon!
"She is over the moon," the insider exclusively gushed to Closer. Hoda has been dating NYC financier Joel, 59, since 2013 and the couple moved in together in late 2016. Though the TV star adopted daughter Haley as a single mother, Joel — who has an adult daughter of his own, Kyle, from a previous marriage — has been and will continue to be a big part of the little one's life. "She never wanted to pressure Joel into doing anything. She was stunned when he suggested she and Haley move in with him," the source said. "They had long discussions about the future. Joel told Hoda he wants to marry her and raise Haley. Of course, she was thrilled." In a subsequent interview, Hoda confirmed her daughter will call Joel "Dad." She added, "[Joel] has been so great. He's such a great dad and a great influence."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXfLMHBg1uq/
The breast cancer survivor's marriage to Joel would be her second. She was previously hitched to University of New Orleans tennis coach Burzis Kanga from 2005 until 2007. In June 2017, Hoda and Joel celebrated their four-year anniversary — and Hoda couldn't help but gush about her love on Instagram. "Four years together and getting better every day❤️," she captioned an Instagram pic of herself with Joel and Haley at the beach.
In another exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Hoda candidly opened up about potentially marrying for the second time. "I've gone down that road once, so I would've normally said definitely not, so the fact that I'm saying I don't know is saying something," she said. "Joel is the right person [for me]. I do feel like he is the last one. He showed me that anything is possible." She also previously told E! News, "My last risky move, and I don't call it a risky move anymore, was falling in love. There is something about the later-in-life portion of the program. You meet someone and you think to yourself, 'Wow, I didn't know I could feel like this at my age.'" Here's hoping Hoda and Joel tie the knot soon — they seem beyond perfect for each other!
