Hoda Kotb Hints at a Possible New Romance After Chance Plane Encounter

Hoda Kotb may have a new romantic connection—and it started in one of the most unexpected places: on an airplane.

The former Today anchor opened up about her love life during a visit to Today With Jenna & Sheinelle on Friday, Aug. 21. After returning from a birthday trip to the Bahamas, Kotb joined Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones to talk about her life, her company Joy 101 and what she has been up to since leaving Today earlier this year.

Naturally, the conversation turned to romance.

“Everybody likes to talk about your love life. I’m gonna ask you,” Hager said.

Kotb admitted that she recently met someone on a flight, although she was quick to say she does not yet consider it a relationship.

“This is not a real love connection thing,” Kotb explained. “But I did meet someone on a plane when I was flying somewhere. It was the weirdest connection in the world, we were both crying.”

The unusual meeting clearly made an impression. Kotb said the two felt an immediate connection, with the man repeatedly asking, “Is this a dream? Is this real?”

The story took another surprising turn months later.

When Kotb’s Joy 101 company traveled to Cannes, the same man happened to be sitting in the audience at the event. The two recognized each other and exchanged a quick greeting, but Kotb said the moment did not immediately lead anywhere.

Then, recently, they started texting again.

“There are connections. I don’t know what it is,” Kotb said, leaving the door open to whatever might happen next.

She also revealed that the mystery man is single, “really cute” and “very handsome”—details that quickly caught the attention of her co-hosts. Hager encouraged Kotb to pursue the connection, while Jones compared the story to the romantic movie Notting Hill.

For now, Kotb appears to be taking things slowly and keeping expectations in check. She has not identified the man publicly or described the relationship as a romance.

Kotb was previously engaged to financier Joel Schiffman. The couple began dating in 2013, became engaged in 2019 and adopted two daughters, Haley and Hope. They announced their separation in 2022 after years together and have continued to co-parent their children.

Looking ahead, Kotb said she is focused on learning, growing and building the next chapter of her life.

“All I’m doing is learning all over again,” she said. “I’m just trying to get better, not just at living, but at my company and how I’m navigating my life.”

Whether her airplane encounter becomes something more remains to be seen. For now, Kotb seems content to let the connection unfold naturally.