Long before Hoda Kotb became a fixture of morning television and a beloved anchor on the Today show, her personal life faced intense periods of public scrutiny and private upheaval. Among the most frequently discussed chapters from her earlier years is her marriage to Burzis Kanga, a former college tennis coach. While internet rumors occasionally conflate names or misidentify key figures from her past, the real history of their relationship, marriage, and subsequent divorce remains a well-documented part of the broadcaster's life story.
Understanding this period requires looking past online speculation and focusing on the actual timeline. Kanga and Kotb married in late 2005 after years of dating on and off, but the union dissolved just as Kotb confronted major personal and health challenges. This article breaks down who Burzis Kanga is, how his path crossed with Kotb's, and what actually transpired during their brief marriage and subsequent split.
Who Is Burzis Kanga? Career and Background
Burzis Kanga is best recognized in sports circles for his tenure as the head coach for the men's and women's tennis teams at the University of New Orleans. Before moving into collegiate coaching, he built a strong reputation as a competitive tennis player and regional pro, eventually working at facilities like the Chateau Estates Country Club.
His professional life in Louisiana shifted dramatically in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina severely impacted the region, destroying his residence and prompting a relocation to New York City to join Kotb. Unlike public figures who court the media spotlight, Kanga remained largely out of the public eye following his split from the broadcaster, returning to his roots in athletics and private coaching.
The Timeline of the Marriage and Divorce
The relationship between Kotb and Kanga developed over several years before they decided to formalize their partnership. Kanga proposed in May 2005, and the couple married in December of that same year during a destination ceremony in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The marriage faced immense strain shortly after. In February 2007, Kotb received a breast cancer diagnosis, which required immediate medical intervention and surgery. Concurrently, the marriage began to unravel, leading Kotb to file for divorce that same month. Their legal separation was finalized in February 2008.
Neither party engaged in protracted public mudslinging. In subsequent retrospective interviews, Kotb noted that her early forties were defined by simultaneous personal crises—navigating a high-profile career transition, battling cancer, and managing the end of her marriage. Kanga similarly acknowledged that external pressures, including family illnesses and health struggles, contributed to the relationship's deterioration.
How Rumors and Misidentifications Spread Online
Internet search trends frequently generate bizarre anomalies, mixing unrelated names into celebrity biographies. Automated content farms and placeholder staging sites sometimes publish scrambled narratives—such as inventing alternative former spouses or misidentifying professional colleagues.
For instance, search queries occasionally link erroneous names or fictionalized accounts to Kotb's marital history. Readers navigating these topics should rely on verified historical records rather than automated aggregator blogs that mix up names to capture search traffic. Kotb was married only once to Kanga prior to her long-term engagement with financier Joel Schiffman, with whom she shares two adopted daughters, Haley and Hope.
Life After the Split: Moving Forward
Following their 2008 divorce, both individuals carved out distinct paths far away from each other. Kotb continued to expand her broadcasting career, eventually anchoring the fourth hour of the Today show alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and later Jenna Bush Hager, before stepping down from her daily anchor role to focus on her family.
Kanga maintained a low profile, continuing his work within the tennis community. The intersection of their lives remains a closed chapter, characterized ultimately by how both individuals handled severe personal hardships away from the relentless glare of daily television cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb married?
They tied the knot in December 2005 during a ceremony in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, after dating on and off for several years.
Why did their marriage end?
The couple faced intense external pressures, including serious health battles. Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007, the same month she filed for divorce. The split was finalized in February 2008.
Did Hoda Kotb marry anyone else after Kanga?
Kotb did not remarry, but she was in a long-term relationship with business executive Joel Schiffman from 2013 until their amicable separation in early 2022. They share two adopted daughters.
What is Burzis Kanga's profession?
He is a tennis professional and former head coach who managed the men's and women's tennis programs at the University of New Orleans.
