TODAY host Hoda Kotb shared photos of her former fiance Joel Schiffman at her new suburban New York home on Christmas – and fans now suspect the exes are back together.
Hoda- who is leaving her anchor position at the NBC morning program in January- spent the holiday with her ex, sister Hala, mother Sameha and two daughters.
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Hoda Kotb and ex-fiance Joel Schiffman relaxed in pajamas at her suburban New York home on Christmas Day.Credit: Instagram/hodakotb
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Hoda and Joel attended the 2018 TIME 100 Gala on April 24, 2018 in New York City.Credit: Getty
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Hoda and Joel enjoyed an early dinner with her mom, sister and the girls.Credit: Instagram/hodakotb
The mother of two shared sweet pics of the family in her brand-new home on Christmas Day.
“Raise your hand if you are still in your Christmas jammies and watching football,” she captioned a photo of Joel, Hala and Sameha on the couch.
Then, she posted a photo of the four having an early dinner with her kids Haley, 7, and Hope, 5.
“5:55 pm dinner time—still in Christmas jammies!” she said.
Though many followers gushed over the low-key, cozy holiday celebration, many pointed out Joel acting like he’s part of the family- and suspected the exes are back together.
“Aww I am so happy Joel and Hoda are back together! Merry Christmas,” said one fan.
“Wonderful to see Joel!” said another.
However, some fans thought Joel was spending the day with Hoda just for her daughters’ sake.
“He is there for all the big days in the girls’ lives,” explained one follower. “So not sure they have reunited, but would be happy if they did.”
“I love seeing your family together,” said another. “You and Joel are doing it right.”
HODA & JOEL’S HISTORY
Hoda and Joel met in 2013, and went public with their relationship two years later.
On Today in 2019, Hoda announced their engagement.
Hoda’s fans were shocked when she revealed their split three years later.
“Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we’re better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we are going to start this new year… on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends,” she said on Today with Hoda and Jenna on January 31, 2022.
“It’s not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, or a season or for a lifetime. And I feel like ours was meant to be there for a season.”
Hoda adopted her daughters during her relationship with Joel, and always told fans he would help her raise the girls.
“I have two incredible children I share with him. And it’s because of Joel that I have Haley and Hope, without question. I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone,” she told People.com after the split.
NEXT CHAPTER
Hoda’s last day as co-anchor on Today will be January 10, and she will be replaced by Craig Melvin.
She said one of the main reasons she’s leaving her high-pressure job is to spend more time with her girls.
“And all I want to do is walk my kids to school. And it’s the simplest thing, with a cup of coffee, walking your kids to school. But all the little things, you get to see growth,” she said on her podcast recently.
Hope suffered a health crisis in early 2023, which a source told The U.S. Sun changed the news host’s views on her professional obligations.
“You want to be there for your kids, and she’s just completely wiped by the time it gets around to after school,” an insider explained.
“She loves these girls so much, and then when Hope was sick and hospitalized, everything changed for her with her views on work.”
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Hoda, Joel, Haley and Hope cuddled up in the Today host’s living room on Christmas.Credit: Instagram/hodakotb
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Hoda kissed her girls at home on Christmas DayCredit: Instagram/hodakotb
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Haley showed off a big smile in front of her presents on ChristmasCredit: Instagram/hodakotb
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Hoda and Joel dated for nearly 9 years before they split
