Hoda Kotb, 59, reveals she has a THIRD date lined up with new mystery man as she enjoys her first real romance since split from fiancé Joel Schiffman - but admits she REFUSES to use apps like Tinder because she doesn't want to meet any 'weirdos'

Hoda Kotb has revealed that she's got a third date lined up with the same person next week - after confirming just a few days ago that she had dipped her toe into the world of dating for the first time in two years.

The Today host, 59, exclusively confirmed to DailyMail.com that she'll be going out with the mystery man next Wednesday - and suggested that it was her friends who set her up - two years after her split from former fiancé, financier Joel Schiffman.

Speaking at the 2024 Hudson River Park Friends Playground Committee Luncheon in Manhattan on Friday, Hoda admitted that she didn't feel nervous going on dates and chooses not to use dating apps such as Tinder in order to avoid 'weirdos'.

Sharing some dating advice, the giddy mother-of-two said: 'Listen, you've got to find someone to set you up because that's the beginning, but someone you trust enough, even if you've only known them for a few months, so what?

Hoda Kotb has revealed that she's got a third date lined up with the same man she opened up about seeing earlier this week 

The 59-year-old was previously engaged to financier Joel Schiffman but the couple spilt in January 2022

Hoda first revealed she was back in the dating game during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show

'I think a setup is great because there's at least no weirdos to factor in on a setup. And if someone has recommended someone, there's more investment.'

When asked about online dating apps, Hoda quickly replied: 'I don't do that!' before continuing: 'I feel like there are so many options now and dating is so weird. It's like, "I don't want that, I want that", but I think once once you've been on a couple of dates [with someone] and there's some traction...'

Hoda, who was being honored at the New York City event alongside entrepreneur Maria Dueñas Jacobs, also admitted that she didn't feel nervous going on her two dates.

'You know what's funny, I did not on these dates and I think it's because I'm exactly who I am. I was like, "what am I doing? Who cares? I will eat a steak if I'm hungry!" Be you and if it works, it works, and if it doesn't, at least it's you!'

Hoda also opened up about her two adopted daughters, Haley, seven and four-year-old Hope, and how they're doing a year on from Hope's terrifying ICU 'health scare'.

'I feel stronger, and I feel like Haley is a better big sister,' Hoda said. 'I feel that I thought Hope was the strongest kid I'd ever met and now that's been multiplied because I've witnessed it.

'I feel like my capacity to love her is beyond what I even imagined, and I've also learned not to put my worry on her. Like that's something I think as parents we do and we don't mean to. We think we're being empathetic and loving, but really, we're not, so I'm learning to let her be a kid.'

During her speech at the event, Hoda opened up about the fact that her 'blessings' came later on in life as she urged people to 'be ready'.

Hoda posed with a copy of her new book at the 2024 Hudson River Park Friends Playground Committee Luncheon

The mother-of-two was joined by her Today colleague Dylan Dreyer at the New York City event

TV host Hoda pictured with her two young daughters; Haley, seven, and four-year-old Hope

'I would have never have imagined in my life that all my blessings would come after 50,' she told the audience. 'If someone had told me that when I was like a teenager or in my twenties, I probably would have died a thousand deaths!' 

The TV host then recalled a story from nine years ago as she encouraged people to say their dreams 'out loud'.

'When I was 50, I was walking with a good friend of mine named Jen and we were talking and she said, "you know we never wanted kids", she said, just kind of casually. 

'And I just dead stopped on the street and I looked at her and she goes, "what?" and I said, "Well, actually I always did want kids", and she said," well you never mentioned it", and I said, "well because I lost my window and I didn't want to say it, who wants to say something out loud that's never going to happen?"

'And when I said it out loud, I realized something: If you have like a secret hope or a secret dream or something, say it out loud! Say it out loud!

'Something happens when you say it out loud. Here's what happens: the universe starts to cooperate with you,' Hoda added.