Hoda Kotb has fans speculating that she has rekindled her relationship with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman after she was seen wearing a ring on the Today show.
The 60-year-old host, who is preparing to leave the NBC show on Jan. 10 after 26 years at the network, was seen fiddling with the jewelry during Thursday’s episode in which she starred alongside Laura Jarrett and Dylan Dreyer.
Eagle-eyed viewers could see that Hoda was wearing a ring on the fourth finger of her left hand, the same hand and finger that engagement rings are normally worn on.
By sharing her findings on her social media, many hoped Hoda was giving a subtle signal that she was back with Joel, 66.
—Did anyone else notice the ring on Hoda’s left hand this morning? one wrote on his Instagram page.
“I was waiting for an announcement,” another responded. ‘At one point I was playing with it, sliding it up and down. She really hoped she and Joel would get back together.
A third said: “I noticed her yesterday while streaming the Rose Parade with Al Roker.”
“Yeah, I noticed too and was waiting for her to make an announcement too,” wrote a fourth.
Hoda Kotb was seen with a ring on her engagement finger on the Today show
The presenter, 60, played with the jewel during Thursday’s episode.
“She seemed exceptionally dizzy this morning and I thought maybe it was because she was waiting for her time off after next week.
“But then I saw the ring and wondered if something else was going on.”
They continued: ‘Maybe she will make an announcement soon.
“He seemed to show the ring at one point and then suddenly realized that maybe he shouldn’t do it yet and it seemed like he was hiding his hand from then on.”
Confirming the sighting, another speculated: ‘Yes, she’s definitely wearing a ring! Maybe she’ll make the announcement when everyone’s back on the air together!’
Hoda began her relationship with Joel in 2013 and in November 2019 announced live on Today that they were engaged.
But on January 31, 2022, Hoda revealed on Today with Hoda & Jenna that she and Joel had decided to end their engagement and would focus on co-parenting as friends.
Hoda shares two adopted daughters with Joel: Haley Joy, 7, and Hope Catherine, 5.
Hoda began her relationship with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffmann in 2013 and in November 2019 announced live on Today that they were engaged.
The couple split for good in 2022, and Hoda said they were ‘not in sync’
When he announced their split, he insisted there was no bad blood between them and said they were “better as friends and parents.”
“Joel and I have had a lot of prayer and meaningful conversations over the holidays and decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,” the talk show host said.
‘So we decided to start this new year on our new path as loving parents of our adorable and lovely children and as friends.
‘It’s not like anything happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, this was for a season.’
Last month, Hoda and Joel got together to celebrate Christmas with their daughters.
Hoda and Joel reunited to celebrate Christmas with their daughters
Hoda previously shared her vacation plans and revealed that Joel is still involved in the big day.
“For us, our Christmas isn’t huge because it’s me, my kids, my mom, my sister, Joel,” she said during the Dec. 24 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, which was pre-filmed.
“We met,” he continued. ‘That’s the group, and it’s kind of a cozy Christmas.
—Then tonight we will put out cookies for Santa Claus and carrots. He always seems to like cookies better.