Kathryn “Kathie” Lee Gifford (formerly Kathryn Lee Epstein and Kathryn Lee Johnson) is a renowned American television host, comedian, actress, singer and song-writer who earned nationwide prominence for serving as the host of the WABC-TV talk show ‘ Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee’. Gifford hosted the popular show for 15 years from 1985-2000. Since 2008, Gifford has been serving as the co-host of ‘The Today Show’ on NBC alongside Hoba Kotb.
Gifford began her career in television in 1974 as the singer/sidekick of TV host Tom Kennedy on his show ‘Name That Tune’ that was on air from 1974-1978 before she became a popular television presenter. She also produced an album titled ”The Heart of a Woman’ which featured the hit single “Love Never Fails”. Gifford has been felicitated with one Daytime Emmy in 2010, after having been nominated for the award 11 times.
Early Life and Education
Gifford was born as Kathryn Lee Epstein on 16 August 1953 in Paris, France as the daughter of American parents Joan Cuttell and Aaron Epstien. Her mother was a singer while her father was a musician who formerly served in the US Navy as a Chief Petty Officer. Gifford was raised in Bowie, Maryland along with her siblings, brother David Paul Epstein and sister Michie Mader. Gifford has Russian Jewish and Native American ancestry on her father’s side of the family and English, German and French-Canadian ancestry on her mother’s side of the family.
Gifford studied at Bowie High School where she was part of the folk singing group “Pennsylvania Next Right”. She graduated in 1971 and enrolled into Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she studied music and drama. Gifford identifies as a born-again Christian.
Kathie Lee Gifford – Husband
Gifford has been married twice. Gifford was first married to Christian composer/producer and publisher Paul Johnson. The marriage lasted from 1976-1983.
Gifford then dated NFL player turned sports commentator Frank Gifford and married him in 1986. The couple became parents to two children, son Cody Newton Gifford and daughter Cassidy Erin Gifford. Gifford and her husband lived together until he passed in 2015.
Career Rise
Gifford began her career as a vocalist in the 1970s, working on the ‘Name That Tune’, a game show hosted by Tom Kennedy and worked in ‘Hee Haw Honeys’, in 1978. In 1985, Gifford became a popular name in the US television industry. She began serving as Regis Philbin’s co-host on the WABC-TV show ‘The Morning Show’, replacing Ann Abernathy. In 1988, the show was renamed Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee when it started broadcasting nationally, and contributed to Gifford’s rise in prominence. Gifford became famous for her home life descriptions on the show. She left the show in July 2000.
After resigning from ‘Live!’, Gifford made several guest appearances in films and TV shows. She has also released a few music albums independently like ‘The Heart of a Woman’ which featured the hit single “Love Never Fails”. She also served as a special correspondent on the CBS entertainment show ‘The Insider’. Since 2008, Gifford has been hosting the ‘Today’ show on NBC during the fourth hour. Gifford has also worked in musical theatre and has made guest appearances on show like ‘Seinfeld’, and ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Kathie Lee Gifford – Salary and Net Worth
Gifford draws and annual salary of $2 Million and has an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million.
