HODA KOTB WEDDING SHOCKER: Wedding Date SET for 2025—But It’s NOT Joel Schiffman! Fans Gasp as Hoda Confirms Engagement to MYSTERY MAN After Secret Romance—Insiders Say “She’s Never Been This Happy!”

The world of morning television was rocked this week as TODAY Show co-host Hoda Kotb finally broke her silence—and dropped a bombshell that no one saw coming.

After months of speculation, cryptic remarks, and secretive smiles during live broadcasts, Hoda has officially confirmed her engagement—but in a twist that’s left fans gasping, her fiancé is not Joel Schiffman, the longtime partner she separated from in 2022.

Instead, the 59-year-old beloved broadcaster revealed she’s been secretly dating a mystery man for over a year, and the two are now planning a 2025 wedding that insiders describe as intimate, magical, and deeply personal.

Here’s everything we know so far about the mystery fiancé, the behind-the-scenes romance, and the wedding that’s sending shockwaves through the TODAY fandom.

💍 From Heartbreak to Happily Ever After?

Hoda and Joel Schiffman were together for over eight years and shared two daughters, Haley and Hope. Their split in 2022 was amicable but emotional, and fans assumed that Hoda—who had spoken openly about the difficulty of finding love later in life—might remain single for a while.

But now, in a surprise interview with People magazine, Hoda has revealed that love found her again, when she least expected it.

“I wasn’t looking. I really wasn’t,” Hoda shared. “But sometimes, someone walks into your life and everything changes.”

She didn’t name her fiancé publicly, but she described him as “kind, funny, fiercely intelligent, and the most incredible father figure” to her daughters.

🤫 The Secret Romance That Stayed Hidden for a Year

According to sources close to Hoda, the relationship started quietly in early 2023. The two reportedly met at a charity event in the Hamptons and bonded over their shared passion for children’s advocacy and mental health awareness.

They kept things under wraps for nearly a year, with Hoda intentionally keeping the relationship off social media and out of public view, not even revealing it to many colleagues.

“It was the happiest I’ve seen her in years,” said a TODAY Show insider. “But she wanted to protect it, nurture it in private. This wasn’t about headlines. It was about real love.”

📅 Wedding Date CONFIRMED: Spring 2025

Now, after a year of dating and a private engagement ceremony held in March 2025 at Hoda’s beach home, the couple is planning a spring 2025 wedding.

The ceremony will reportedly take place at a private coastal venue in South Carolina, with only close family and friends in attendance. Both Haley and Hope will play key roles in the celebration, sources confirm.

“She wants it to be beautiful, meaningful, but low-key,” says the insider. “No paparazzi, no spectacle—just love.”

🕵️‍♂️ Who Is the Mystery Man?

While Hoda has not confirmed his identity publicly, entertainment reporters are already digging deep.

Rumors point to a New York-based philanthropist and entrepreneur, slightly younger than Hoda, with ties to several nonprofit organizations. He’s said to have kept a low profile throughout the relationship, and some insiders believe he may never go fully public.

“He’s not in it for fame,” says a mutual friend. “In fact, he hates attention—but he loves Hoda and the life they’ve built together.”

Despite the mystery, one thing is clear: Hoda is glowing. Colleagues and friends have noted how much lighter, happier, and energized she’s seemed in recent months—and now fans finally know why.

💔 What About Joel Schiffman?

Hoda and Joel Schiffman’s split in 2022 was one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups of that year, but both parties have handled the separation with dignity and grace.

Insiders say Joel has already met Hoda’s fiancé and approves of the relationship.

“Joel and Hoda have always put the kids first,” says one source. “And he respects her enough to want her to be happy.”

There’s even talk that Joel might attend the wedding—a stunning example of how blended families and mature co-parenting can work beautifully in modern love stories.

🧡 Hoda’s Message to Women Everywhere

During her interview, Hoda became emotional when asked what she would say to women who feel like love has passed them by.

“Don’t give up. Seriously. You don’t have to be in your 20s to find the love of your life,” she said. “You just have to be open. Love is never late—it shows up right on time.”

Fans around the globe responded with a tidal wave of support. The hashtag #HodaInLove began trending on Twitter within hours of the news breaking, and her TODAY Show co-hosts shared tearful, heartfelt congratulations live on air.

🌟 Fan Reactions: “We’re Crying With Joy!”

“Hoda Kotb deserves every ounce of happiness. I’m SOBBING.”
“This is the modern love story I needed. A second chance, a secret romance, and pure joy.”
“Who is the mystery man? I don’t care—I’m just so happy for our girl Hoda!”

📺 What’s Next for Hoda?

Though her personal life is blossoming, Hoda shows no signs of slowing down professionally. She remains a lead anchor on the TODAY Show, continues her weekly podcast, and is even rumored to be working on a new memoir inspired by her unexpected love journey.

NBC insiders confirm that while Hoda will take a short hiatus around the wedding, she’ll return in summer 2025 with a new segment series focusing on second chances and late-in-life love.

✨ Final Thoughts: A Wedding the World Will Be Watching

Hoda Kotb’s shocking engagement announcement is more than just celebrity news—it’s a testament to hope, healing, and the idea that life’s greatest joys often come when you least expect them.

From heartbreak to happiness, from a very public breakup to a very private new beginning, Hoda has shown us that it’s never too late to start a beautiful new chapter.