Hoda Kotb’s Ex-Husband Shares Intimate Insights on Her Life After Leaving Today Show

In a surprising and heartfelt revelation, Hoda Kotb’s ex-husband, Burzis Kanga, opened up about the former Today show co-anchor’s emotions following her departure from the iconic morning program in January 2025. Speaking with an intimacy that suggested their bond remains unbroken despite their 2008 divorce, Kanga shared that Kotb sometimes regrets leaving the show she loved for 17 years. His unusually detailed account, filled with tender anecdotes, paints a picture of a woman navigating a new chapter while longing for the connections she left behind at NBC’s Rockefeller Center.

“Sometimes she regrets it,” Kanga confided in an exclusive interview, his voice carrying a warmth that hinted at ongoing closeness with Kotb, 60. “Not the choice to prioritize Haley and Hope, but the loss of that daily spark with her Today family. She misses walking into a room and feeling that instant connection.” Kotb, who stepped away to focus on her daughters, Haley, 8, and Hope, 6, and to launch her wellness venture, Joy 101, has been candid about her transition. Yet, Kanga’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into her private reflections, suggesting a depth of communication between the former spouses that has surprised even their closest friends.

Kotb’s exit from Today marked the end of an era. For 17 years, her infectious warmth and chemistry with co-anchors like Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager defined the show’s heart. Kanga recounted a recent conversation where Kotb described a coffee date with Guthrie: “She told me they laughed, cried, and held hands for an hour. Hoda said, ‘I miss that—this instant connection you don’t have to schedule.’ It’s not the work she misses, but the people.” His words echo Kotb’s own sentiments in a recent PEOPLE cover story, where she admitted to feeling an “empty space” without the daily camaraderie of her colleagues.

Kanga’s intimate tone, as if he and Kotb had never parted, has raised eyebrows. “Hoda’s been open about her life, but Burzis speaking like they’re still confidants is unexpected,” a source close to Kotb noted. Their marriage, though brief, ended amicably, and they’ve maintained a respectful connection, particularly as Kotb navigates co-parenting with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. Kanga’s detailed recounting of Kotb’s emotions—down to her journaling under a full moon as Haley leapt into her lap, exclaiming, “You really are here”—suggests a level of trust that transcends their past. “It’s like she’s still sharing her heart with him,” the source added.

Kotb’s new life in the suburbs with her daughters is filled with joy, from school drop-offs to lacrosse games, yet Kanga revealed the adjustment hasn’t been seamless. “She’s thriving with the girls, but she’ll call and say, ‘I miss Savannah’s giggle making everything fade away.’ It’s those little moments that hit her.” Kotb’s Joy 101 venture, with its app, live events, and newsletter focused on mindfulness, keeps her busy, and she still visits Rockefeller Center to record her podcast, Making Space. “Every time I walk in, I feel warm and fuzzy,” Kotb told PEOPLE, a sentiment Kanga echoed, noting her relief at seeing new anchors Craig Melvin and Guthrie thrive without bitterness.

Fans have flooded social media with support, touched by Kotb’s vulnerability and Kanga’s candid revelations. Posts on X highlight the enduring bond between Kotb and her Today colleagues, with many speculating about her potential return. For now, Kanga’s intimate insights reveal a woman cherishing her new freedom while grappling with the loss of a workplace family. “She’s finding joy,” he said, “but those connections—they’re irreplaceable.”