Hoda Kotb is hoping to find love again as she enters a new decade of life.
“I can see romance clearly, I just can. It’s how you know something is meant to be,” the beloved “Today” co-anchor – who turned 60 on Aug. 9 – exclusively told Pvnew in a new interview. “
“I thought 50 was great, but 60 may be it! I feel like this is the season of repotting and growth. There’s this feeling that the roots are up in the air, but then you land in this rich soil and you’re like, ‘Oh, more room to grow.’”
Kotb’s renewed passion for romance comes a few years after her split from financier Joel Schiffman. The journalist and her ex-fiancé, who share two kids together, called it quits in 2022 after eight years together.
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“I was talking about romance and life recently and a friend asked me, ‘What do you have room for?’” Kotb told us while discussing her milestone birthday. “And that’s a really important question, because my life is really crowded.”
Kotb – who is mom to Hope, 7, and Hailey, 5 – admitted, however, that she is “not scared” about the future of her love life as she knows romance is “happening” down the line.
“It’s to say, ‘In this rich and full life, let me bring in something in this moment,’ and right now, that’s what I want,” she continued. “As life goes on and the kids get settled, there will be room for more. But now, I want something small and I can see it … I know it’s happening.”
In the meantime, Kotb has been focusing on spending as much time as she can with her two young daughters. She’s been in the process of moving homes and gearing her kids up to start school at a new educational institution this fall.
The family went through a terrifying experience last year when Hope was hospitalized and in the ICU for over a week.
Kotb has yet to share any further details regarding her daughter’s health scare. She told us, however, that Hope is “doing good” at this time.
“It’s like you have to manage it every single day,” she added of the undisclosed diagnosis. “That’s just how it works.”
Kotb spoke to Pvnew in celebration of her milestone birthday festivities, which included an intimate party with family and friends over the weekend.
She also received a special on-air shout-out from co-host Savannah Guthrie during Monday’s live taping of “Today.”
Kotb’s daughters stopped by the studio and appeared overjoyed while watching their mama film in honor of her special day. The celebratory taping also featured performances from Little Big Town and Sugarland.
During another portion of her interview with Pvnew, Kotb reminisced over what it was like chatting with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The news anchor was left emotional after the gymnastics legend admitted she was most grateful for being adopted during their heartwarming sit-down.
“You were someone who dreamt of being a gymnast, and you’re here today,” Kotb said to Biles, 27, last week. “So if you had to answer this question: ‘If not for blank, I would not be here today.’ If not for blank … who’s that person?”
Biles, who was adopted by her grandfather Ronald and his wife Nellie, replied, “If not for my parents and adoption, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Kotb – who adopted both of her own daughters – confessed to us that she “didn’t see” the emotional response coming from the “Dancing With the Stars” alum.
“It was such a beautiful tribute to her parents and it was a reminder that your child is your child no matter what,” she said. “She underscored that she would not have had this family if not for adoption. I felt this so deeply, and I hope my kids understand how much they are loved, they chose me.”
Guthrie, 52, echoed how special of an interview that was, telling Pvnew, “Hoda and Simone have such a special bond … not anyone can get that interview.”
The “Today” personality also gushed over how inspired she is by Kotb’s work ethic and “zest” for life. The pair became co-anchors after the sudden departure of “Today” host Matt Lauer in 2017 amid accusations of sexual misconduct.
“Hoda shows [us that] all these things we’re told about getting older and getting past 50 are untrue. She’s always learning, always growing,” she shared. “I’m just so grateful to have her in my life, [and] for Hailey and Hope that this is their mommy.”
