A Single Survivor
- News personality Hoda Kotb, 57, announced back in January that she had split from her partner of eight years and ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, 64, who is the father of their adopted girls.
- The Today co-host admitted at a recent event that she is getting more comfortable with this latest life transition, and embracing the single life.
- More than anyone, cancer survivors tend to know what they want in life, and if someone or something isn't serving them, they trust their instinct and move on. Life is short and it's okay to be make strong choices and stand behind them for what is best for you.
The breast cancer survivorwhose fertility in her 40s was threatened due to treatment admitted she is “tiptoeing along” in her dating life as she juggles higher priorities like her busy career and motherhood.
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Kotb was open about the split on her show, as she clued fans in on her transitional news.
“We decided we are going to start this new year … on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends,” she announced on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. “It’s not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, or a season or for a lifetime. And I feel like ours was meant to be there for a season.”
Although Kotb says her “heart is open,” and can see it happening at some point with a new partner, she is by all means not putting pressure on herself now.
“I haven’t really thought about who I would see myself with, but I do have to say something,” she said. “My sister even said and asked me at one point, ‘Are afraid to be by yourself?’ And I said to her, ‘I’m not going to be by myself.'”
Getting Back in the Dating Game as a Survivor
Just the fact that she caught herself saying that so quickly and clearly, Kotb then acknowledged the fact that something just may be in store for her, but for now, “‘Oh, don’t worry. No worries. I said I’m gonna be just fine,'” she said of the conversation with her sister.
Hoda's Breast Cancer Battle
Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 when she was 43 years old. Doctors discovered lumps in her breast during a routine exam. She went through a mastectomy and was thankfully declared in remission. Kotb had never had a mammogram before, and this experience led her to become an advocate for breast cancer prevention and awareness.
Known for her positive and upbeat attitude on and off-screen, the loving mother is indeed the perfect person to cheerlead other survivors, but it's also perfectly okay for her to look to others for support.
Sometimes it's tough to follow your own advice, but we have a feeling that Kotb practices what she preaches in her personal life and has the strength to make it through this recent transition, and it sounds like she’s taking it in strides.
More than anyone, cancer survivors tend to know what they want in life, and if someone or something isn't serving them, they trust their instinct and move on. Life is short and it's okay to be make strong choices and stand behind them for what is best for you. When there are children involved, as in this case, a break up can be handled responsibly if both parties respect one another and can put the kids needs' first, while also honoring and acknowledging their own.
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