Who is Hoda Kotb? Career, age and partner of Today Show journalist

Prince Harry has opened up about his time in the US with Meghan Markle and his recent visit to the UK, sitting down for an in-depth interview on the Today Show, with Hota Kotb.

The full interview will be airing today at 7am ET (12pm BST) and, in a preview snippet, the Duke of Sussex spoke of life in the States with his wife and their two children, as well as his recent visit with his grandmother.

‘Home for me now, for the time being, is in the States and it feels that way as well,’ he said. ‘We’ve been welcomed with open arms and we have such a great community up in Santa Barbara.

‘Being with her, it was great. It was just so nice to see her, she’s on great form,’ he added of his meeting with the Queen last week.

‘She’s always got a great sense of humor with me and I’m just making sure she’s protected and got the right people around her. Both Meghan and I had tea with her, so it was really nice to catch up with her.’

Ahead of the interview airing, who exactly is Hoda Kotb?

Who is Hoda Kotb?

Journalist Hoda, 57, has become a staple of the small screen over the years, and has been a firm favorite with Today Show viewers.

She obtained a degree in broadcast journalism in 1986 and got straight to work, landing a job at WXVT in Mississippi – and went on to appear as an anchor in various newsrooms.

In 1998, she made the move to NBC as a correspondent for Dateline, before appearing on Today’s morning show in 2007, where she was joined by Kathie Lee Gifford a year later.

Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and was praised for sharing her journey on air throughout her battle.

After she was declared cancer free, she used her platform to become an advocate for breast cancer awareness.

The star was named official co-anchor of Today in 2018, following Matt Lauer’s termination from the corporation, and recently celebrated her three-year work anniversary with co-host Jenna Bush Hager.

Is Hoda Kotb married?

Hoda was previously married to tennis coach Burzis Kanga, tying the knot in 2005 – the couple confirmed their divorce three years later.

In 2013, she started dating Joel Schiffman and announced their engagement on the Today Show in 2019. The couple share two daughters together, Haley and Hope.

At the beginning of the year, she revealed live on air that they had called time on their relationship after eight years together.

‘Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,’ she told the cameras.

‘So we decided we are going to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends.’

Is Hoda Kotb leaving The Today Show?

Fans can rest easy as Hoda is not going anywhere and has not announced plans to leave her position on the Today show.

However, she will be taking a well-deserved few days off this week – and was not on air on Monday, with Justin Sylvester on hand to keep her iconic seat warm with Jenna.

Justin tweeted that he will be doing the same later this week, adding: ‘So much fun sitting in for @hodakotb today! CANT WAIT to be back with @jennabhager again THIS FRIDAY! @hodaandjenna.’

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