Kathie Lee Gifford, known for her open and candid nature, has always shared her life with her fans. However, after the passing of her husband, Frank Gifford, and her mother, Joan Epstein, Kathie Lee found herself in a different place emotionally. She needed time to heal and process her grief before she could openly discuss her challenges. Recently, Kathie Lee sat down with the “I Am Second” crew for an honest and heartfelt interview where she shared her journey of faith, perseverance, and healing.
Throughout her life, Kathie Lee had a strong desire to be a performer. Despite facing adversity and cruelty in the entertainment industry, she never let it deter her. Casting agents turned her down, and she was even subjected to hurtful names. However, she remained determined and resilient, ultimately achieving great success.
Her marriage to Frank Gifford lasted 29 years and was not without personal challenges and struggles. When Frank passed away in August 2015, Kathie Lee was devastated. She shared the moment she found him peacefully passed away, saying, “On a beautiful Sunday morning, I found my husband passed on to Heaven… He saw Jesus and Jesus took his breath away.”
Following Frank’s death, Kathie Lee leaned on her mother and children for support. But just two years later, her mother also passed away. With her children living far away, Kathie Lee experienced overwhelming loneliness. She explained, “My biggest struggle at this point of my life is loneliness. I’ve lost my parents, my husband is gone now, and my children live far away from me. I still live in the same big house where we made a gazillion million memories. And there are times when I am overwhelmed by loneliness.”
Yet, despite these challenges, Kathie Lee found strength in her faith and her relationship with God. Her faith helped her cope with the loneliness and loss. She realized that dwelling on what she had lost would lead to hopelessness. Instead, she chose to focus on what she still had and lived her life in a positive space.
Rather than lamenting her status as a widow, Kathie Lee expressed gratitude that Frank was exactly where he was supposed to be. She wanted to live her life with joy and not let grief define her. In an inspiring message to viewers, she said, “You’re supposed to be you. That’s the first letter of unique: ‘u.’ And that brings a smile to God’s face because he didn’t make a mistake with you.”
The video of Kathie Lee’s interview resonated with many fans, including one who shared, “I’ve always loved Kathie Lee Gifford. I don’t typically watch morning shows, but anytime I saw her show, I just had to stop and watch. She exudes such joy, it’s infectious! So glad to see her here.”
Kathie Lee’s journey of faith, perseverance, and healing serves as an inspiration to us all. She shows that even during the darkest times, there is strength to be found and joy to be embraced.
