Hoda Kotb’s Heartwarming Reunion: Smiling with Ex-Fiancé Joel Schiffman and Daughters Hope and Haley

Hoda Kotb is redefining family bliss post-spotlight. The former *Today* co-anchor, 60, delighted fans with rare Instagram snapshots featuring her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman and their adopted daughters, Haley, 9, and Hope, 5. The quartet beamed in a group pose, radiating joy that belied their 2022 breakup. “Couple of fun ones! Xo here’s to family,” Kotb captioned the post, which also showcased tender solo moments: Kotb cradling a children’s book with Hope, and Haley hugging a teddy bear by the window.

Kotb’s motherhood journey began in 2017 with Haley Joy’s adoption, followed by Hope Catherine in 2019—both with Schiffman’s support during their engagement. “It’s because of Joel that I have Haley and Hope, without question,” she told *PEOPLE*. “I think I might have been too afraid to do it alone.” Their split was amicable, prioritizing co-parenting. Despite calling off wedding plans, they’ve mastered harmony for the girls.

Transparency defines Kotb’s parenting. On the 2021 *Me Becoming Mom* podcast, she shared explaining adoption simply: “You didn’t come from Mommy’s tummy, you came from my heart.” At the time, the kids grasped the sentiment, if not the full concept. Now, with Haley nearing double digits, those conversations evolve, grounded in love.

Stepping away from *Today* in January 2025 after 17 years, Kotb cited family as her north star. “My daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she wrote to NBC colleagues. “Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.” The exit—tearful yet triumphant—freed her for mornings unhurried by alarm clocks, focusing on school runs, storytime, and these candid captures.

The photos underscore a modern family portrait: exes united, not for romance, but for the children who bind them. Schiffman, a financier, remains a steady presence, proving breakups needn’t fracture foundations. Kotb’s feed, once dominated by studio selfies, now brims with domestic warmth—teddy bears, books, and unbreakable bonds.

Her departure sparked tributes; Jenna Bush Hager passed the “Morning Boost” baton on Kotb’s final day, preserving feel-good segments. Yet Kotb’s real boost comes at home. “I’ll be around,” she promised. These images affirm it: whether on-screen or off, her story pivots to Haley and Hope’s laughter, Schiffman’s shared smiles, and a heart-centered life. In a world of fleeting headlines, Kotb’s “here’s to family” feels eternal—a testament that love, in all forms, endures.