Burzis Kanga: The Real Story of Hoda Kotb’s Ex-Husband

Burzis Kanga is an American tennis coach who became known after marrying famous TV host Hoda Kotb. Many people know Hoda from the Today show. But not everyone knows about her first husband and his life before their marriage.

Burzis spent many years playing and teaching tennis. He worked with college teams and helped young players improve their skills. His love for tennis gave him a career long before his name became linked with a famous TV star.

So, who is Burzis Kanga? How did he meet Hoda Kotb? What made their love story special? In this article, we will look at his early life, education, tennis career, and marriage. We will also learn more about his life in 2026.

Burzis Kanga Quick Bio


Full Name	Burzis Kanga
Famous As	Hoda Kotb’s ex-husband
Profession	Tennis coach
Birth Year	Early 1960s, reported
Birthday	Not known
Age	In his 60s, estimated
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Tanzanian-Egyptian, reported
Religion	Not known
Height	5’10”, reported
Education	Business degree, reported
Former Wife	Hoda Kotb
Married	2005
Divorced	2008
Kids With Hoda	None
Current Wife	Not known
Tennis Role	Former UNO head coach
Known City	New Orleans
Net Worth	About $1 million, unverified
Current Status	Private life

Who Is Burzis Kanga?

Burzis Kanga is a tennis coach and the former husband of Hoda Kotb. He worked as a head coach at the University of New Orleans. He helped both men’s and women’s tennis teams learn new skills and prepare for matches.

His name became more popular after he married Hoda in 2005. At that time, she was already a well-known news reporter. Their marriage brought Burzis into the public eye. Still, he did not seem interested in becoming a famous person.

Unlike Hoda, Burzis likes to keep his life private. He rarely talks to the media or shares news about himself. Even in 2026, people know little about his daily life. Most public details focus on his tennis work and past marriage.

Burzis Kanga’s Early Life

Burzis Kanga was reportedly born in the early 1960s. His exact birthday and birthplace are not known. He has never shared many details about his childhood. This makes it hard to know much about his early family life.

Some websites say Burzis has Tanzanian and Egyptian family roots. However, these reports have not been fully confirmed. The names of his parents and siblings are also not widely known. He has kept these parts of his life away from public attention.

Tennis became an important part of his life when he was young. He enjoyed spending time on the court and learning the game. As he grew older, his interest became stronger. This love for tennis later helped him build his career.

Burzis Kanga’s Education

Many people want to know how old Burzis Kanga is in 2026. Some online reports say he was born in the early 1960s. If this is true, he would now be in his 60s. His real birth date is still not confirmed.

Burzis reportedly finished college in 1984 with a degree in Business. During his student years, he also spent a lot of time playing tennis. He worked hard to improve his game while continuing his studies.

Reports say he played college tennis from 1980 to 1983. During those years, he reportedly won more than 50 matches. This gave him useful experience on the court. It also helped him learn skills that would later support his coaching career.

How Burzis Kanga Started His Tennis Career

Before becoming a coach, Burzis Kanga was a tennis player. He spent years learning the sport and taking part in matches. Playing against other skilled players helped him grow and understand the game better.

After finishing college, Burzis reportedly played tennis in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. These matches gave him a chance to meet different players. He also learned new ways to play and gained more experience on the court.

Over time, Burzis moved from playing tennis to teaching it. He wanted to help other players improve their skills. His years as a player helped him understand what young athletes need to learn and grow.

Burzis Kanga’s Coaching Career and Success

Burzis Kanga became known for his work at the University of New Orleans. He served as a head coach for the men’s and women’s tennis teams. His job was to train players and help them prepare for important matches.

He also worked in tennis at Chateau Estates Country Club. Some reports say he was part of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. He was also linked to junior Olympic sports events. These roles helped him stay involved in tennis.

His coaching work became a big part of his life. While Hoda was growing her career on television, Burzis was working with tennis players. His years in sports gave him a name of his own outside his famous marriage.

How Burzis Kanga Met Hoda Kotb

Burzis Kanga met Hoda Kotb on Valentine’s Day at an American Heart Association event in New Orleans. Some reports say they first met in 1994. However, the exact year is not fully clear. Their meeting later became the start of a love story.

At that time, Hoda was building her career as a news reporter. Burzis was busy with tennis. They had different jobs, but they got to know each other. Their friendship slowly grew into a romantic relationship.

Their relationship had some breaks along the way. Hoda later said they had dated on and off for years. Still, they stayed close. In May 2005, Burzis asked Hoda to marry him, and she said yes.

Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb’s Wedding

Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb got married in December 2005. Their wedding took place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They chose a beautiful beach location where they could enjoy their special day with loved ones.

Hoda later spoke about how happy she felt during the wedding. She said it was like taking a vacation with a wedding added to it. At the time, she was excited to begin married life with Burzis.

The couple later marked their first wedding anniversary in the Pocono Mountains. However, their life together was not always easy. Hurricane Katrina had already caused major changes in Burzis’s life. Soon, moving to New York would bring new problems for their marriage.

How Hurricane Katrina Changed Their Lives

In August 2005, a big storm called Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. It damaged many homes and streets. Burzis Kanga also lost his home to the flood. This was a hard time for him and many other people.

After the storm, Burzis moved to New York City to live with Hoda Kotb. But he did not feel at home there. The city was big and busy. He missed his old life in New Orleans.

Hoda knew that Burzis was having a hard time. He later said that New York was too busy for him. He had lived in New Orleans for many years. Moving to a new city was not easy.

Why Did Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb Divorce?

Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb got married in 2005. But their marriage did not last long. In February 2007, Hoda asked for a divorce. Around the same time, she found out that she had breast cancer.

Burzis was also going through a hard time. His father was sick, and Hoda was facing health problems. Both had a lot to deal with. Burzis later said that he made mistakes during their marriage.

Their divorce became final in February 2008. Burzis did not speak badly about Hoda. He said they had many good memories together. He also said that Hoda was a wonderful person and that he would always think well of her.

Did Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb Have Children?

Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb did not have any children together. Their marriage ended before Hoda became a mother. There is no clear public news about whether Burzis has children from any other relationship.

Years later, Hoda began dating Joel Schiffman in 2013. They built a family together. Hoda adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy, in 2017. In 2019, she welcomed her second daughter, Hope Catherine, into her life.

Hoda and Joel got engaged in 2019. However, they ended their relationship in 2022. They chose to stay friends and care for their daughters together. Hoda often talks about how much she loves her children.

Burzis Kanga’s Net Worth and Income

Burzis Kanga has worked as a tennis coach for many years. His job was to help players learn and improve their game. He also worked with college tennis teams. Coaching has been his main known way of earning money.

Some websites say Burzis has a net worth of about $1 million. They also claim that he earns $36,523 a year. But these numbers have not been proven. His real income and total wealth are not known.

Burzis does not talk much about his money. He keeps his personal life private. Unlike Hoda, he is not a famous TV host. His work has mainly been in tennis, and there is little public news about his earnings.

Where Is Burzis Kanga Now in 2026?

Burzis Kanga spent many years living and working in New Orleans. After his marriage ended, he went back to the city. He continued his work in tennis and stayed close to the sport he had loved for years.

In 2026, there is little new information about Burzis. He does not often appear in the news or give interviews. His current job and exact home are not confirmed. He has kept most of his life away from public attention.

Many people also ask if Burzis got married again. There is no clear public report that he has another wife. His love life remains private. Most people still know him through his tennis career and his marriage to Hoda.

Final Thoughts

Burzis Kanga is a tennis coach who became known as Hoda Kotb’s ex-husband. But his life is not only about their marriage. He spent many years playing tennis and helping other players learn the game.

He married Hoda in 2005, but they divorced in 2008. They went through many hard times together. Even after their marriage ended, Burzis spoke kindly about Hoda and said he would always value their good memories.

Today, Burzis Kanga lives a quiet life away from the news. Many details about his life in 2026 are still unknown. His story shows how a person can be known to many people while choosing to keep life private.