Second Chance? Hoda’s Ex-Husband Calls Her His ‘Soul Mate,’ Doesn’t Plan To Remarry
Jan. 22 2018, Published 10:27 a.m. ET
Hoda Kotb has been divorced from Burzis Kanga since 2008, but is there a chance the two could rekindle their romance? The Today Show co-anchor’s ex-husband exclusively revealed to RadarOnline.com that he still has feelings for her.
“She was my soul mate,” Kanga told RadarOnline.com. “She was my best friend. She was someone very special to me. I have no intentions of getting remarried again.”
Kanga explained how their “courtship” began when they met at a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in New Orleans.
He proposed in May 2005 and they got married in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic that December.
Their marriage was short-lived, as Kotb filed for divorce from Kanga on February 15, 2007. The divorce was finalized on February 6, 2008.
While Kanga admitted he “hasn’t chatted with her recently,” he was “happy” when he learned she replaced Matt Lauer as co-anchor of Today. Lauer was fired from Today for allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.
“I’m delighted for her,” he said. “She deserves everything that she’s accomplished. I have nothing but great things to say about her. She’s a wonderful person. She worked so hard to get to this place. She had a long journey.”
But unfortunately for Kanga, Hotb isn’t looking back. She recently celebrated her four-year anniversary with boyfriend Joel Schiffman in June.
The former tennis coach previously revealed to RadarOnline.com the reason for their divorce.
“We had some differences,” he said. “My father was ill. She was ill. It was a difficult time. Those were personal reasons for both of us.”
While Kanga wouldn’t disclose her exact illness, she revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007.
“The divorce happened under difficult conditions,” he explained. “Those were personal reasons for both of us. In hindsight, there was level of immaturity on my part, mistakes I made. It was unfortunate we were married for a short time. It’s a shame it transpired that way.”
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He also blamed the end of their marriage on his move to New York.
“I was not used to the big city I guess,” he said. “New York can be overwhelming. I’ve lived in New Orleans for 30 years now. This is my home.”
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