Early Career and First Marriage
Hoda Kotb built her journalism career as a reporter and anchor long before she became a household name on TODAY. In 2005 she married Burzis Kanga, a former University of New Orleans tennis coach.
Their wedding took place in December 2005 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Cancer Diagnosis and Divorce
In February 2007, during a routine exam, doctors detected abnormalities — and Hoda was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Later that same month, she filed for divorce from Kanga.
In 2007 she underwent a mastectomy, and over time she recovered and rebuilt her life.
