Kathie Lee Gifford is without doubt one of the most iconic names in American tv, because of her longtime stints on exhibits like “Reside with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “At this time.” Now, Gifford, who not too long ago launched a brand new ebook, the second in her biblical non-fiction collection, is opening up about her closing lunch with Regis Philbin and his passing.
Kathie Lee Gifford Saved In Contact With Regis Philbin After Leaving ‘Reside’
Gifford introduced on air in July 2000 that she was leaving “Reside With Regis and Kathie Lee.” This got here after she had hosted the hit ABC morning speak present alongside Philbin for 15 years. Notably, her announcement got here as a shock to her beloved co-host.
In March 2026, Gifford spoke to PEOPLE in regards to the relationship she maintained with Philbin after leaving the present. Based on her, “I noticed him quite a bit. We turned a lot nearer pals even because the years went on, after I left. We lived very shut to one another in Greenwich.”
The Former ‘At this time’ Host Noticed Regis Two Weeks Earlier than His Demise
Gifford continued her PEOPLE interview, saying she moved to Tennessee after leaving “At this time” in 2019. Regardless of the transfer, she and Philbin made a degree of getting lunch each two weeks. She advised the outlet, “I noticed him two weeks earlier than he died.”
Gifford continued, “We had a three-hour lunch, and I had the whole lot he liked made for him that day. And we laughed, oh, we laughed our butts off.”
After that, she mentioned his dying, saying in some way she knew. Based on the creator, “I used to be again in (the South) and had writing classes and recording classes and was all the time busy, however then one morning I wakened, and the Lord advised me very clearly — I don’t hear him, however I do know his voice, if that makes any sense — and he mentioned, ‘Get on a airplane and go house.’”
She added, “I didn’t know why he mentioned it, however I received on a airplane, and no sooner had I landed than I turned my cellphone again on and there was a message from an expensive good friend who mentioned, ‘I’m so sorry about your good friend Regis.’ And I knew, as a result of once I’d seen him two weeks earlier than, when he received out of the automotive to come back into my home, (the Lord) mentioned, ‘That is the final time you’re gonna see him.’”
The Beloved Speak Present Host Handed Away In July 2020
Based on At this timePhilbin handed away on July 24, 2020, just one month earlier than his 89th birthday. Months after his passing, Gifford appeared on “The Speak” and mentioned her good friend and his closing days, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a toll on the previous host and his psychological well being.
She mentioned, “He had been depressed within the weeks and months earlier, due to the COVID. You already know, Regis couldn’t carry out wherever; no person was out and about, and he couldn’t be Regis for individuals, you recognize? And it broke his coronary heart.”
Gifford then mentioned, “One in all his dearest pals had only in the near past died of COVID. He was just about in a melancholy, I feel. Regis simply lived to make individuals joyful. He actually made me joyful for the 35 years that we had been nice pals.”
She Not too long ago Launched A New Ebook
Gifford launched her newest ebook, “Nero and Paul,” co-written with Dr. Bryan M. Litfinon March 10, 2026. This got here after she first introduced the ebook in July 2025.
Beforehand, in 2024, she spoke to Lady’s World about her ardour for writing Bible-based content material. Gifford mentioned, “My fascination with Herod goes again to my first rabbinical journey. We imagine that Jesus’ story is the best ever advised. Effectively, Herod is the best story by no means advised, until you might be some kind of a scholar.”
The previous host then mentioned her co-writer, saying, “My son, Cody, discovered this implausible co-author for me (Brian M. Litfin, PhD), and Cody steered a collection of various books referred to as Historical Evil, Dwelling Hope. The following one, I feel, will probably be Nero and Paul. There’s all the time been evil, however there’s all the time been God’s presence on this planet as properly.”
Kathie Lee Gifford Not too long ago Criticised The LGBTQ+ Neighborhood
Gifford appeared on the “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless” podcast in March 2026. Whereas on the present, the subject of Gifford reconciling being a conventional Christian with supporting homosexual rights got here up. She responded, “That one is a four-letter phrase, and it’s referred to as L-O-V-E, love.”
Nevertheless, after saying she had many homosexual pals, Gifford provided one criticism, saying, “I don’t even know what number of letters there at the moment are. They’ve actually received to cease with that. We all know what you imply, you recognize?”
Nonetheless, she admitted that it was not her place to inform individuals the best way to reside their lives.