Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC's "Today," shared on Friday that she has developed a romantic connection with a new man, a development that surprised her colleagues.
The 62-year-old television personality described meeting the man, whom she characterized as "very handsome," during a flight. She told "Today" anchors Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager that the encounter was so profound it left both of them in tears.
"It was the weirdest connection in the world. We were both crying," Kotb said. "It was strange. You know, when you have one of those... everything is firing on all cylinders?"
Despite the intense initial connection, they parted ways after the flight. However, their paths crossed again serendipitously at a business conference where the man was in the audience. Although they greeted each other, Kotb indicated that the momentum from their initial meeting seemed to dissipate.
Kotb and the man exchanged numbers and have since begun texting. She described him as "very cute" and "very handsome."
This news comes after Kotb's split from her former fiancé, financier Joel Schiffman, in 2022. The couple had been together since 2013 and adopted two daughters. They announced their engagement in November 2019.
In her memoir, "Jump and Find Joy," Kotb reflected on the breakup, attributing it in part to an "epiphany" she experienced during a retreat. She felt the relationship with Schiffman was no longer deepening and that she was being inauthentic. She described the decision to end the relationship as a swift one, noting it felt "right."
Kotb stated that she still loves and admires Schiffman, but their relationship has evolved into a deep friendship. She expressed that they will continue to co-parent their daughters amicably and that their current dynamic as close friends feels appropriate for them.