Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman Celebrate Christmas Together With Their Daughters
Hoda Kotb and her former partner, Joel Schiffman, co-parented over the Christmas holiday.
Kotb, 61, shared a family photograph on Instagram Thursday, December 25, which included Schiffman, 67, and their two daughters, Haley, 8, and Hope, 6. Kotb’s mother and sister were also featured in the snapshot as the group posed in matching green plaid pajama bottoms and green, Santa-themed T-shirts. The adults additionally sported mini light-up Santa hat headbands.
“Merry Christmas,” Kotb captioned the post.
Kotb and Schiffman ended their engagement in 2022 after eight years together.
During a recent broadcast of Today, Hoda Kotb Spent Christmas With Ex-Fiance Joel Schiffman and Their Children
“Joel and I had numerous thoughtful and prayerful conversations throughout the holidays and we determined that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we would begin this new year on a new path as loving parents to our wonderful children and as friends,” the television personality explained on Today after fans noticed that she wasn’t wearing her engagement ring, which the financier had given to her in 2019.
“It wasn’t like something dramatic happened,” Kotb continued. “They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. And I feel like ours was meant to be there for a season.”
Kotb further elaborated on their decision to separate in her book Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life, which was published in September.
“Our decision to go our separate ways wasn’t one that we took lightly, but we knew it was the correct one,” she wrote. “It came from a place of love, not anger, which makes a significant difference.”
Kotb added, “There was no infidelity, no scandal, no major crisis. It sounds cliché, but the truth is, we were simply growing apart. There wasn’t the drama you hear about in all the great country songs. The no-good, two-timing, whiskey-loving heartbreakers. It simply wasn’t us.”
Kotb and Schiffman became parents in 2017 when they adopted Haley, followed by Hope two years later. Following their split, the former couple continued to amicably co-parent their daughters, frequently celebrating holidays and the girls’ birthdays together.
“He spends time with the kids,” Kotb exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2022. “He takes them to school sometimes, and he sees them on weekends. We have a really pleasant, straightforward situation.”
The I’ve Loved You Since Forever author continued, “We make sure that the children get plenty of time with both of us.”
Kotb also reassured Us that she and Schiffman are still “close friends.”
Hoda Kotb and Ex Joel Schiffman's Relationship Timeline
Although she and her former fiancé have maintained a positive relationship in the years since their split, Kotb admitted earlier this year that she has pondered the impact her life as a single mother would have on her daughters.
“I’m raising my children essentially by myself,” Kotb said during a May appearance on the “Making Space” podcast. “I often consider, like, ‘How will they understand what love looks like?’”
Kotb has explored the dating world since her split from Schiffman.
“I do have to say something, something did occur the other day that hasn’t happened in two years,” she said during a 2024 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “I had a date! I had a date.”
Months later, Kotb revealed that she had paused her new relationship.
“I did go on the third date, but I did somewhat decide in that moment — because this person who’s a wonderful individual has a number of … things that are being addressed — that I think I’m looking for more … simplicity,” she said during an August 2024 episode of “The Jamie Kern Lima Show” podcast. “He’s very handsome, extremely good-looking. I’ll show you a picture after, but [things are] on hold for now.”
