Who Is Burzis Kanga? The Real Story Behind Hoda Kotb’s Ex-Husband

You may know Hoda Kotb from the Today show. She is cheerful, open, and honest about her life. But when people hear about her first marriage, one name always comes up — Burzis Kanga.

So who is Burzis Kanga? Was he famous before Hoda? What really happened between them? And where is he now in 2026?

The truth is simple. Burzis Kanga was never chasing fame. He was not a TV star. He was a tennis coach who loved his work and lived a quiet life. But for a short time, he became known because of his marriage to Hoda Kotb.

In this article, we’ll walk through his early life, his tennis journey, how he met Hoda, and what shaped his life. By the end, you’ll see that his story is not about drama. It’s about timing, growth, and choosing a peaceful life.

Burzis Kanga Quick Bio

Who Is Burzis Kanga?

Burzis Kanga is a tennis coach. He is American. He has roots that are believed to be Tanzanian and Egyptian. But he has always kept his personal life very private. He rarely gives interviews. He does not use social media. And he prefers to stay away from public attention.

People mostly learned about Burzis Kanga because he married Hoda Kotb in 2005. Before that, he was already known in the tennis world, especially in New Orleans. But he was not a celebrity.

If you ask people who worked with him, they describe him as calm, focused, and serious about his job. He is someone who believes in discipline and hard work. He built his name slowly, through tennis — not through headlines.

Burzis Kanga’s Early Life and Background

Burzis Kanga was born in the United States in the early 1960s. His exact birthday has never been shared publicly. That tells you something about him already — he values privacy deeply.

It is believed that his family background includes Tanzanian and Egyptian roots. But again, he has never spoken much about his parents or childhood. He keeps that part of his life quiet.

What we do know is that from a young age, he loved sports. Especially tennis. While other kids were just playing for fun, tennis became serious for him. It was not just a hobby. It became a passion.

Have you ever done something that just felt right? That’s how tennis seemed to feel for him. It wasn’t about fame. It was about the game itself.

Burzis Kanga’s Education and College Tennis Years

Burzis Kanga studied Business in college. In 1984, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. But while he was studying business, something else was happening — he was building an impressive tennis record.

He played for the University of New Orleans (UNO) tennis team from 1980 to 1983. And he wasn’t just average. He was very good.

By his senior year, he had an incredible record. Some reports say he won more than 80 matches with very few losses. That’s rare. Very rare. He even earned All-American honors, which only top players receive.

Think about that for a moment. Before the headlines. Before the marriage. Burzis Kanga was already successful in his field.

College shaped him. It gave him both education and experience. It taught him discipline. It gave him leadership skills. And most importantly, it confirmed that tennis would always be part of his life.

How Tennis Became Burzis Kanga’s Life

After graduating, Burzis Kanga did not stop playing tennis.

He traveled and played on satellite tennis tours in Mexico, Europe, and the United States. These were competitive tournaments. Not small local games. He tested himself against strong players.

These years gave him experience. They also showed him something important. Playing is exciting. But teaching? Teaching felt meaningful.

So he slowly moved into coaching.

Instead of chasing fame as a professional athlete, Burzis Kanga chose stability and mentorship. He chose to guide young players. He chose to build teams. He chose to stay close to home.

Sometimes success isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s steady. And that’s exactly how his career grew.

Burzis Kanga’s Career as a Tennis Coach

Burzis Kanga became the head coach for the University of New Orleans tennis teams — both men and women. That’s a big role. He once played for that university. Now he was leading it.

He also earned a USTA Professional 1 certification. That is a respected coaching title. It shows skill and experience.

Over the years, he helped many young athletes improve. He wasn’t just teaching tennis moves. He was teaching discipline, teamwork, and patience.

He also worked as:

• A Junior Olympic commissioner

• A board member for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation

That shows he was trusted and respected in the sports community.

Today, in 2026, his estimated net worth is around $1 million. Most of that came from coaching. No flashy endorsements. No TV contracts. Just steady work.

That’s something many people respect about Burzis Kanga. He built his life slowly and honestly.

How Burzis Kanga Met Hoda Kotb

Now here’s where the story changes.

Burzis Kanga met Hoda Kotb on Valentine’s Day at an American Heart Association event in New Orleans. It wasn’t a Hollywood party. It was a charity event.

They started talking. They connected.

Their relationship was not instant fairy tale romance. It was on and off for a few years. They lived different lives. Hoda worked in news. Burzis worked in sports. She later moved to New York for NBC.

Still, they stayed in touch.

Sometimes relationships grow slowly. They feel comfortable. Safe. Familiar.

And for a time, that was enough.

Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb’s Wedding

In May 2005, while visiting New York, Burzis proposed to Hoda during a Central Park horse carriage ride. It sounded romantic. Sweet. Quiet.

Hoda said yes.

In December 2005, they married in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It was a beach wedding. Relaxed. Warm. Hoda once described it like “a vacation with a wedding thrown in.”

At first, things felt happy.

She even said she loved being married. She sounded hopeful. Excited.

But as we’ll see in the second half of this story, sometimes what feels right at the time doesn’t always last.

And soon, real life would test both of them in ways they never expected.

The Big Turning Point

Not long after the wedding, life changed in a big way.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. It was one of the worst storms in U.S. history. Homes were destroyed. Families were forced to leave. And Burzis Kanga was one of the many people affected.

His apartment was completely flooded. Everything inside was ruined. Imagine losing your home only months after getting married. That kind of stress is heavy.

Because of the damage, Burzis Kanga moved to New York City to be with Hoda full-time. But New York was very different from New Orleans. It was louder. Faster. More intense. He had lived in New Orleans for more than 26 years. That was home.

The move was not easy for him. Change is hard. And when change happens all at once — marriage, relocation, career adjustment — it can feel overwhelming.

Why Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb Divorced

Soon after moving, life became even more difficult.

In early 2007, Hoda Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a shocking and scary moment. In the same period, Burzis Kanga’s father was very ill. Both of them were facing personal pain at the same time.

Can you imagine dealing with sickness in your family while trying to keep a young marriage strong? That pressure can break even strong couples.

Hoda later wrote in her 2026 memoir that she felt she had “slipped” into marriage. She said they let the idea of “it’s time to get married” push them forward. They were comfortable together. It felt like the next logical step. But deep down, both may have had doubts.

There was no cheating scandal. No explosive fights. It was more about emotional distance. It was about timing. About stress. About life changing very fast.

Hoda filed for divorce in February 2007, the same month she was battling cancer. Their divorce was finalized in 2008. It was a short marriage. But it was a serious chapter in both their lives.

Burzis Kanga’s Response After the Divorce

After the divorce, Burzis Kanga did something that many people respected.

He did not attack Hoda in interviews. He did not create drama. He did not try to stay in the spotlight. Instead, he spoke calmly and kindly about her.

He admitted that he may have been immature at times. He said the period was very painful for both of them. But he also said he would always cherish their memories.

That says a lot about a person.

Even years later, he described Hoda as classy. That kind of respect is rare after divorce. It shows emotional growth.

Sometimes relationships end quietly. Not because of anger. But because they simply do not fit long-term.

Where Is Burzis Kanga Today?

So where is Burzis Kanga now in 2026?

He is back in New Orleans. Back where he feels at home.

He continues to work as a tennis coach. He is still respected at the University of New Orleans. His life is steady. Calm. Private.

He does not have official social media accounts. Many fake accounts appear online, but none are confirmed. He simply chooses a quiet life.

As far as public records show, he is not remarried. He has no children. His focus remains tennis and mentoring players.

Some people chase fame. Others choose peace. Burzis Kanga clearly chose peace.

Hoda Kotb’s Life After Burzis Kanga

While Burzis Kanga stepped away from headlines, Hoda’s life took new turns.

In 2013, she met financier Joel Schiffman at a business event. They dated privately for two years before going public in 2015.

Later, she adopted two daughters. Haley Joy in 2017. Hope Catherine in 2019. Becoming a mother changed her life deeply. She often says her daughters are her greatest joy.

Joel proposed in 2019. But after many honest talks, they ended their engagement in early 2022. They chose to remain close friends and loving co-parents.

In interviews, Hoda has said something powerful. She believes some relationships are meant for a season, not a lifetime. That seems to describe both chapters of her romantic life.

Interesting Facts About Burzis Kanga

There are a few small but interesting facts about Burzis Kanga that many people do not know.

He is about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He earned his business degree in 1984. He holds a respected USTA Professional 1 coaching certification. His estimated net worth is around $1 million.

One interesting detail? He met Hoda on Valentine’s Day. And years later, their divorce was finalized very close to that same date. Life has strange timing sometimes.

Most important of all, before he was known as “Hoda Kotb’s ex,” Burzis Kanga was already a strong tennis player and coach with international experience. That part of his story often gets forgotten.

Final Thoughts

When people search “Who is Burzis Kanga?”, they may expect drama.

But his story is not dramatic. It is human.

It is about two people who cared about each other. Two people who went through stressful life changes at the same time. Two people who tried — but realized the fit was not forever.

Burzis Kanga shows that not every public marriage ends in chaos. Sometimes timing is wrong. Sometimes expectations push decisions. Sometimes people grow in different directions.

Today, in 2026, both Burzis and Hoda seem at peace. She found joy in motherhood and career. He found stability in tennis and privacy.

And maybe that is the real lesson here.

Life is not about staying in the spotlight. It is about finding where you feel steady and true to yourself.

And for Burzis Kanga, that place has always been the tennis court.

(FAQs)

What is Burzis Kanga’s religion?

Burzis Kanga has never publicly shared his religion. Some believe he may have Middle Eastern or African roots, but he has kept his faith completely private. There is no confirmed information about his religious beliefs.

How old is Burzis Kanga? What is his birthday?

Burzis Kanga was born in the early 1960s, but his exact birthday has never been made public. This surprises many people because even after being linked to a famous TV host, he still keeps basic personal details secret. In 2026, he is believed to be in his early to mid-60s.

What does Burzis Kanga do for a living?

Burzis Kanga is a longtime tennis coach. He played college tennis at the University of New Orleans and later became the head coach there. He also earned a top-level USTA coaching certification. Tennis has been his main profession for decades.

Why did Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb divorce? Did he remarry?

Their divorce was not caused by cheating or drama. It happened during a very stressful time. Hoda was battling breast cancer, and his father was seriously ill. They later admitted the marriage may not have been the right long-term fit. As of 2026, Burzis Kanga has not remarried and keeps his personal life private.

What is Burzis Kanga’s net worth?

Burzis Kanga’s estimated net worth is around $1 million. He built this through his long career in tennis coaching. Unlike many people connected to celebrities, he did not make money from fame. His wealth mostly comes from steady work in sports.

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