In an emotional moment that left the TODAY show studio in stunned silence, co-host Hoda Kotb broke down in tears live on air, revealing that she and former fiancé Joel Schiffman have quietly reconciled — and welcomed a baby boy through adoption.

The surprise announcement came during a heartfelt segment on family and new beginnings. With her voice trembling, Kotb, 61, held up a tiny blue onesie and whispered: “It’s a boy…” before pausing as tears streamed down her face. “Joel and I… we found our way back to each other. And now, we’ve added the most beautiful little boy to our family.”

The studio fell silent. Co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin sat visibly moved, with Guthrie reaching for Kotb’s hand. Viewers at home flooded social media with shock and joy, many typing through tears: “I’m sobbing at my breakfast table.”

Kotb and Schiffman, who share daughters Haley Joy (8) and Hope Catherine (6), both adopted during their engagement, ended their relationship in January 2022 after eight years together. Kotb later described the split as amicable but painful, saying they remained committed co-parents. “We decided the kids were our priority,” she said at the time.

Behind the scenes, sources say the couple began reconnecting quietly in late 2024, drawn together by their shared love for family and the girls. “It was gradual,” a friend told People. “They never stopped caring. Time healed old wounds, and they realised what they had was rare.”

The adoption process, already underway separately, became a joint journey. Their new son, whose name has not been revealed, arrived just before Christmas 2025. “Love always finds its way back,” Kotb said on air, smiling through tears. “Sometimes it takes a detour, but it comes home.”

What happened next left the world in shock: Kotb revealed Schiffman was waiting backstage with the girls and their newborn. The family joined her on set for an impromptu celebration — Haley and Hope proudly holding their baby brother as the studio erupted in applause.

The moment has been hailed as one of TODAY’s most memorable, blending raw vulnerability with pure joy. Fans praised Kotb’s courage: “Hoda shows us it’s never too late for second chances,” one wrote. Another added: “This is the happiest news to start 2026.”

Kotb, who has been open about her fertility struggles and the miracle of adoption, called the reconciliation “unexpected grace.” Schiffman, a financier known for his privacy, smiled quietly beside her, saying only: “We’re just grateful.”

As the TODAY family toasted with coffee mugs, the segment ended with Kotb’s signature optimism: “Life surprises you when you least expect it — and sometimes, it’s the best surprise of all.”

For a woman who has shared her highs and lows with millions, this chapter feels like the ultimate happy beginning. Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman — together again, stronger, and now a family of five.