Who Is Burzis Kanga? Meet Hoda Kotb’s Private and Talented Ex-Husband

You may know Hoda Kotb from the Today show — she’s cheerful, honest, and always open about her life. But many people don’t know much about her first husband, Burzis Kanga.

Burzis isn’t a celebrity or a TV star. He’s a quiet man who loves tennis and coaching. But for a few years, his name was in the spotlight because of his short marriage to Hoda.

In this article, we’ll get to know who Burzis Kanga really is. We’ll talk about his early life, his love for tennis, how he met Hoda, and why their marriage ended. You’ll also learn where he is today and what his life looks like now.

Burzis Kanga Quick Bio

Early Life of Burzis Kanga

Burzis Kanga was born in the United States. Some say he has Tanzanian or Egyptian roots, but he has always lived a very private life. Because of that, we don’t know much about his family or birthday.

He grew up loving sports, especially tennis. Even as a young boy, he spent a lot of time on the court. He wasn’t just passionate — he was really good at it too.

People around him noticed his focus, and that led him to play tennis at the college level. His strong interest in tennis helped shape his future career and life.

How Tennis Became His Passion

Between 1980 and 1983, Burzis played for the University of New Orleans (UNO) tennis team. He was one of their top players and won more than 50 matches during his college years.

By his senior year, he had an amazing 81–9 record, which is very rare and impressive. He even earned All-American honors, something only a few players ever get.

After college, he didn’t stop. He went on to play professional tennis in Mexico, the United States, and Europe. He joined satellite tours, which are like smaller tennis tournaments for rising players. His skills and love for the game took him far.

Burzis Kanga’s Career as a Tennis Coach

After years of playing, Burzis moved into coaching. It was a perfect fit for him. He knew how to guide players, teach smart strategies, and build strong teams.

He became the head tennis coach at the University of New Orleans, where he had once played as a student. He coached both the men’s and women’s teams and helped many players improve on and off the court.

He also earned a USTA Professional 1 certification, which shows he’s a top-level coach. Over the years, he built a great reputation in the tennis world — not for fame, but for doing good work and helping others grow.

Life Before Hoda Kotb

Before meeting Hoda, Burzis lived a calm and steady life in New Orleans. He had lived there for more than 26 years and felt at home in the city.

He was already doing well as a tennis coach. He also worked with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and even served as a junior Olympic commissioner.

His days were mostly about coaching, local sports, and helping young athletes. He wasn’t in the spotlight. He just did what he loved — teaching tennis and staying close to his roots.

How Burzis Kanga Met Hoda Kotb

The two met on Valentine’s Day at a charity event for the American Heart Association in New Orleans. Hoda was a news anchor at the time, and Burzis was coaching tennis. That’s when their story began.

They had an on-and-off relationship for a few years before getting serious. Even though they had different careers and busy lives, they stayed in touch and kept seeing each other.

Their relationship may not have been flashy or dramatic, but it was real. Hoda once said they were “comfortable together,” and that made it feel like the next step was marriage.

The Wedding That Seemed Right at the Time

In May 2005, while visiting Hoda in New York, Burzis proposed during a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. It was a quiet, sweet moment — and Hoda said yes.

They got married in December 2005 in Punta Cana, a beautiful beach town in the Dominican Republic. Hoda once said the wedding felt like “a vacation with a wedding thrown in on a Saturday.”

At the time, she felt happy and excited. She even said in an interview, “Oh my gosh! I’m a married, honest woman, finally!” It seemed like a dream come true — for a while.

What Went Wrong in Their Marriage

Not long after the wedding, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Burzis lost his apartment and moved to New York City to be with Hoda, who was now working at NBC.

But moving to New York was tough for him. He had always been a New Orleans guy. The big city felt overwhelming, and he had a hard time settling in.

Hoda tried to make things work, but both of them could feel something wasn’t quite right. There weren’t big fights, but there was emotional distance. It just didn’t feel like the forever kind of love.

Hoda Kotb Opens Up About Their Divorce

Many years later, Hoda shared her honest thoughts about the marriage in her book, Jump and Find Joy. She said she didn’t really fall in love headfirst — instead, she felt like marriage was “the next step.”

She wrote that both she and Burzis let the idea of being “at the right age” push them toward getting married. They were comfortable together, and it felt like the thing they were “supposed” to do.

But deep down, they both had doubts. Hoda wrote that if someone had stopped them in the middle of it all and asked, “Is this what you really want?” — they might have looked at each other and said, “Naaah.”

Burzis Kanga’s Response After the Split

In interviews, Burzis Kanga has never said anything bad about Hoda. In fact, he spoke kindly about her even years after the divorce.

He admitted that he made some mistakes. He said he was “immature” at the time and that the marriage ended during a very hard period. Hoda had breast cancer, and his father was also very sick. It was painful for both of them.

Still, Burzis said he would always cherish the memories. He called Hoda “the epitome of class” and said he had nothing but good feelings when he looked back on their time together.

Where Is Burzis Kanga Now?

Today, Burzis Kanga continues to do what he loves most — coaching tennis. He’s back in New Orleans, where he feels most at home.

He is still working as the head coach at the University of New Orleans and is respected by his students and fellow coaches. He keeps a very private life and rarely appears in the media.

There are no real social media accounts for him, even though fake ones sometimes pop up. He’s focused on his work and prefers staying out of the spotlight.

Interesting Facts About Burzis Kanga

• Burzis is believed to be of Tanzanian-Egyptian background.

• He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 132 lbs.

• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1984.

• He holds a USTA Professional 1 coaching certificate, which is a high-level coaching title.

• In his early days, he played in Mexico, Europe, and the USA and was once invited to India’s Davis Cup team.

Even though most people know him because of his past with Hoda Kotb, he’s built a solid and respected career in tennis that stands on its own.

Final Thoughts

Not every relationship ends because of anger or drama. Sometimes, it just isn’t the right fit. That’s what happened with Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb.

They cared about each other, but life moved them in different directions. The timing, the stress, and personal struggles made it hard for their marriage to work. And that’s okay — they both learned and grew from it.

Today, they’re in better places. Hoda became a loving mom and a successful host. Burzis stayed close to his passion for tennis. Their story shows us that even short chapters in life can teach us something important.

(FAQs)

Does Burzis Kanga have any children?

No, Burzis Kanga does not have any known children — not even from his marriage to Hoda Kotb.

What is Burzis Kanga’s job, and how much is he worth?

He’s a longtime tennis coach at the University of New Orleans. His net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, but he keeps his personal life very private.

When did Burzis Kanga and Hoda Kotb get married and divorced?

They married in December 2005 and divorced just over two years later, in February 2008 — right when Hoda was also battling breast cancer.

What is Burzis Kanga’s religion?

Burzis Kanga has never publicly shared his religion, but he may have Tanzanian or Egyptian roots, which leaves many guessing.

Is Burzis Kanga married today? Where is he now?

No, he is not married today. He lives a very private life in New Orleans and still coaches tennis, avoiding all social media and public attention.

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