Hoda Kotb hopes to find love again at the beginning of a new decade.
“I can clearly see romance, I just can. That’s how you know something is meant to be together,” the popular “Today” co-host, who turned 60 on August 9, said exclusively in a new interview with Page Six. “
“I thought 50 would be great, but 60 could be! I feel like now is the time to repot and grow. You feel like your roots are in the air, but then you land in this rich soil and you think, ‘Oh, more room to grow.'”
Kotb’s renewed passion for romance comes several years after her split from financier Joel Schiffman. The journalist and her ex-fiancé, who have two children together, split in 2022 after eight years together.
“I was talking about romance and life recently and a friend asked me, ‘What do you have room for?'” Kotb told us as she discussed her milestone birthday. “And that’s a really important question because my life is really full.”
However, Kotb, who is mother to 7-year-old Hope and 5-year-old Hailey, admitted that she is “not afraid” about the future of her love life, as she knows that “romance will happen” in the future.
“It’s supposed to say, ‘Let me contribute something to this rich and full life,’ and that’s what I want now,” she continued. “As life goes on, when the kids are settled, there will be room for more. But right now I want something small, and I can see it… I know it’s happening.”
In the meantime, Kotb is focused on spending as much time as possible with her two young daughters as she moves and prepares her children to start school at a new educational facility in the fall.
The family went through a horrific experience last year when Hope was hospitalized and spent over a week in intensive care.
Kotb has not yet shared any further details about her daughter’s health issues, but she told us that Hope is currently “doing well.”
“It’s like you have to deal with it every day,” she added of the unspecified diagnosis. “That’s just how it is.”
Kotb spoke to Page Six about her big birthday celebrations, which included a small party with family and friends over the weekend.
She also received a special on-air mention from co-host Savannah Guthrie during Monday’s live taping of “Today.”
Kotb’s daughters stopped by the studio and looked overjoyed to see their mom filming her special day. The celebratory taping also featured performances from Little Big Town and Sugarland.
In another part of her interview with Page Six, Kotb recalled what it was like to talk to Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The news anchor was touched when the gymnastics legend admitted during their heartwarming meeting that she was extremely grateful to have been adopted.
“You were someone who dreamed of being a gymnast, and here you are today,” Kotb told Biles, 27, last week. “So if you had to answer that question, ‘If it weren’t for Blank, I wouldn’t be here today.’ If it weren’t for Blank… who is that person?”
Biles, who was adopted by her grandfather Ronald and his wife Nellie, responded, “Without my parents and the adoption, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Kotb, who adopted her two daughters herself, confessed to us that she “didn’t anticipate” the former “Dancing With the Stars” actress’ emotional reaction.
“It was such a beautiful tribute to her parents and a reminder that your child is your child, no matter what,” she said. “She emphasized that she wouldn’t have had this family if she hadn’t been adopted. I felt that deeply and hope my children understand how much they are loved, they chose me.”
Guthrie, 52, emphasized what a special interview it was, telling Page Six: “Hoda and Simone have such a special connection… not everyone gets to get an interview like that.”
The “Today” personality also gushed about how inspired she is by Kotb’s work ethic and zest for life. The pair became co-hosts after “Today” host Matt Lauer suddenly left in 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
“Hoda shows (us that) everything we’re told about getting older and being over 50 isn’t true. She’s always learning, always growing,” she said. “I’m just so grateful to have her in my life, (and) for Hailey and Hope, for her to be their mom.”
