Former TODAY show anchor Hoda Kotb has shared a heartwarming glimpse of her family's Christmas celebrations, which included a festive reunion with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. The sweet snapshot, posted to Instagram, marks the third consecutive holiday season the former couple have spent together as a family since calling off their engagement.
A Festive Family Portrait
On Thursday, Kotb uploaded a smiling selfie featuring herself, Schiffman, their two adopted daughters—eight-year-old Haley Joy and six-year-old Hope Catherine—and other family members. The group was dressed in matching green pyjamas, complete with headbands sporting Santa hats, and posed cheerfully beside an elaborately decorated Christmas tree. Kotb captioned the post simply, "Merry Christmas," accompanied by a Christmas tree and red heart emoji.
This harmonious holiday gathering follows the pair's decision to end their engagement in January 2022, after dating for eight years. Their planned destination wedding was postponed three times due to the pandemic before they ultimately chose to separate. Despite the romantic split, they have remained dedicated to co-parenting their two young children.
The Blueprint for Successful Co-Parenting
Kotb has been openly positive about their post-relationship dynamic. In an August 2022 interview with People Magazine, she detailed their effective co-parenting arrangement. "He'll have a Saturday, and I'll do the Sunday. We switch each week," she explained, describing a schedule that allows both parents quality time with their daughters while also securing personal time.
She credited their success to open communication and practical support. "'Does that work for you?' 'Do you need me to change that?' We're very open about fixing things so that everybody's needs are being met," Kotb said. She also acknowledged the role of their two nannies in helping navigate busy schedules. Crucially, Kotb insists there is no animosity, stating their relationship had simply run its natural course.
Reflecting on their time together, she expressed no regrets. "I don't regret one day, not one minute, not one second of our time together because it brought me here. I have two incredible children I share with him," Kotb affirmed. She added that it was because of Schiffman that she found the courage to adopt, saying, "I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone."
Life Beyond the TODAY Show
The Christmas reunion comes during a period of professional transition for Kotb. Last year, she stepped back from her co-hosting role on the TODAY Show, passing the baton to Jenna Bush Hager. Earlier this month, it was announced that Sheinelle Jones would permanently join Bush Hager as co-host after nearly a year of rotating guests.
During the emotional on-air announcement, Jones revealed that Kotb had called her with words of wisdom. "She gave me 45 seconds of just wisdom that changed me," Jones shared, recounting Kotb's advice to remember the pivotal moment for her career and her family.
This holiday season is not an isolated event for the Kotb-Schiffman family unit. They have also previously come together for other occasions, including taking their daughters trick-or-treating on Halloween, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to creating shared memories for their children.
