Hoda Kotb Says It’s ‘More Important Than Ever’ That Ex-Fiancé Joel Schiffman Show Up for Their 2 Daughters: ‘It Matters’

Hannah SacksMon, November 9, 2026 at 6:50 PM UTC

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Hoda Kotb on Halloween with her kids and ex-fiancé Joel SchiffmanCredit: Hoda Kotb/Instagram -

Hoda Kotb shared the importance of co-parenting with ex Joel Schiffman in a recent interview on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle

The former Today anchor said her daughters were thrilled to spot their dad at their school’s Halloween parade

Kotb and Joel Schiffman split in 2021 after getting engaged two years earlier

Hoda Kotb is sharing why it’s important that her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman continue to show up for their two daughters.

While guest-hosting Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on Monday, Nov. 9, the former Today anchor and mom of two, 62, spoke about her recent Halloween celebrations. Kotb, who shares daughters Hope, 7, and Haley, 9, with Schiffman, noted that she and her ex-fiancé went as “deviled eggs” for the holiday, which prompted Jenna Bush Hager to comment on their friendly co-parenting style.

“This is one of those things that as the girls are getting older, having their dad there is much more important, I think, than ever,” said Kotb. “And I think I saw it really at the Halloween parade.”

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Kotb explained that there is a Halloween parade at her daughters’ school where all the kids walk around in their costumes. Usually, Kotb’s kids try to hide — but not when their dad is around.

“They saw Joel at the fence and bee-lined, and they were saying to their friends, like, ‘That’s my dad.’ Because they don’t see him as much, so it was very meaningful,” she shared. “When I was watching them say that, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, come all the time, be here as often as you can.’ Because it matters.”

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“I think, for any kid, whatever makes you different is hard. Your dad’s not there, or whatever it is. I think there are a lot of kids who will relate,” continued Kotb. “People will probably say, well, ‘Do you have a dad? Where is your dad?’ People ask them that.”

“But anyway, he’s showing up. It’s beautiful. He’s lovely. He was on cloud nine. We all hung out. We BBQ’d.”

Kotb, Schiffman and their daughtersCredit: Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Kotb and Schiffman, 68, got engaged in 2019 before later splitting in 2021. They welcomed their daughters Haley and Hope through adoption in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Earlier this month, Kotb shared scenes on Instagram from her family’s Halloween celebrations, which included snaps of Kotb and Schiffman matching in their “deviled eggs” costumes.

The family of four posed outside for photos, with Haley and Hope also showing off their costumes. Haley went as Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street while her younger sister dressed as Chloe Charming from Disney Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. Kotb also shared a sweet snap of their dog Waffles dressed as a pumpkin.

“Happy halloween 🎃🎃🎃,” she captioned her post.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”