As Kathie Lee Gifford wraps up her time on the 'Today' show, it's clear that leaving wasn’t part of the original plan. When she first joined NBC, Kathie imagined herself staying for just a year. Fast forward to today, and it’s been an incredible 11 years filled with highs, lows, and unforgettable moments. It’s been a journey that no one could have predicted, especially not Kathie herself.
“I thought I’d stay a year, and here it is 11 years later,” the 65-year-old confessed to People. “And in those 11 years, so much life has happened.” Kathie, who will step away from our screens after her final broadcast on Friday, April 5, has been through some truly heart-wrenching experiences since joining NBC more than a decade ago. Life, as they say, has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
A Decade of Change
In August 2015, Kathie faced one of the most devastating moments of her life. Her husband of 29 years, former NFL player and broadcaster Frank Gifford, passed away just a week before his 85th birthday. It was a blow that changed everything for Kathie, who had shared so much of her life with him. And if that wasn’t enough, almost two years later, her mother, Joan Cuttell, also passed away in her sleep at the age of 87. These losses left a profound impact on Kathie, who admitted, “I experienced huge changes.”
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On top of dealing with the overwhelming loneliness that comes with losing both her mother and husband, Kathie also had to adjust to her children, Cody, 29, and Cassidy, 26, living far away in Los Angeles. It was a triple whammy that left her feeling like a widow, an orphan, and an empty-nester all at once. “There’s nothing really keeping me in this part of the country anymore except for my job,” she admitted, speaking candidly about her struggles.
