Hoda Kotb has been open about her search for love with fans over the years. Recently, this became a topic of discussion during a recent episode of her podcast series. Speaking with a guest, years after her split with Joel Schiffman, she opened up about what she admires in a partner.
Hoda Kotb Spoke With Esther Perel On A Recent Episode Of Her Podcast Series
Kotb is best known to many for her work on Today. Starting in 2007, she served as a co-host on the show’s fourth hour, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager. In 2018, she was promoted to co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie.
Kotb officially walked away from her role on the show on January 10, 2025. She has since pursued other projects, including her startup wellness platform and app, Joy 101.
Over the years, fans have also followed Kotb’s love life. From 2005 to 2008, she was married to Burzis Kanga. In 2013, she started a relationship with Joel Schiffman in 2013. Announcing her engagement in 2019, she announced their split from Schiffman in 2022. Despite this, the two remain friendly and co-parent their children together.
During a recent episode of her podcast, Making Space with Hoda Kotb, Kotb welcomed psychotherapist and bestselling author Esther Perel. Together, they discussed finding love, with Esther asking Hoda, “When do you find yourself most drawn to your partner? Not just sexually — drawn to in the good sense?”
The Former Today Anchor Noted The Moments That Really Made Her Admire Her Partner
Hoda, clarifying that she was talking about her past relationships and not a new one, shared, “When they were in their work; in their element. Whether it was watching them play golf because they dominated, or on the tennis court, or in front of a crowd, that was always a ‘wow’ because I was kind of admiring.”
Kotb continued, “When he’s playing sports, like when he’s lifting weights — I just thought that was like a ‘wow.’ And when he was holding our daughter.”
Perel explained that response was quite average, noting that it’s easy to admire someone in the moments when they don’t need you. She explained, “They don’t need me. And if they don’t need me, I don’t have to take care of them. I don’t have to be responsible.” As Perel continued, “When they don’t need me because they’re in their thing, I can admire them, which involves an idealization. I can look up to them, and all of that is the grist for the mill of desire and the want.”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.