Kathie Lee Gifford recently shared an extraordinary story during an appearance on the Sage Steele Podcast, a moment that stunned listeners and shed light on a lesser-known chapter of her life. Seated comfortably in a knitted sweater and jeans, the legendary TV host and singer-songwriter took a reflective journey through her decades-long career, the lingering grief of losing her husband, Frank Gifford, and the complexities of her friendship with President Donald Trump.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Kathie recounted a chilling incident from 31 years ago—a time when she was preparing to host the Miss America Pageant. She had her newborn daughter by her side when the FBI contacted Frank with an urgent warning: a dangerous criminal was on the loose and had targeted his wife.
The FBI advised Frank to continue as if nothing was wrong, so the suspect wouldn’t realize he was under surveillance. But Frank wasn’t willing to take any risks with his wife and child’s safety. With fear tightening its grip, he turned to someone he trusted implicitly—Donald Trump.
Kathie became emotional as she recalled Frank’s conversation with the future president. “Donald said—this is why I will love this man for my whole life—he said, ‘Frank, don’t you worry about it. I’ve got your girls. I’ve got your girls, and don’t you worry,’” she shared, her voice thick with emotion.
Frank, reassured by Trump’s words, called the FBI back and told them he had Donald’s word that he would handle the situation. Meanwhile, Kathie had no idea any of this was happening.
The next day, she received a call from Trump himself. He was sending his private helicopter to ensure that she and her daughter made it home safely. He also arranged for a personal security team to protect her, ensuring that she was surrounded by trained professionals until the threat was neutralized.
Kathie vividly remembered the moment she realized just how serious the situation was. “There were four of his security guys there,” she recounted, still processing the extent of Trump’s intervention even decades later.
For days, she had round-the-clock protection, with armed guards stationed outside her hotel room. But it wasn’t until the morning of the pageant that the full reality of the danger she had been in finally hit her.
As she casually picked up a newspaper over breakfast, a bold headline caught her attention. It detailed a death threat against her—one she had been oblivious to at the time. “I read it and thought, ‘Oh, I’m kind of interested in that story,’” she recalled. That moment, sitting in her hotel room, was when she fully grasped the extent of the danger and the immense lengths that had been taken to ensure her safety.
Despite the frightening revelation, Kathie refused to back down. When she was asked if she wanted to cancel her hosting duties, her response was firm: “Hell no! Nobody’s going to make me afraid.”
The show went on as planned, with Trump’s security detail staying close. After the pageant ended, Kathie was discreetly escorted home via an alternate route to avoid any lingering threats.
What she hadn’t known at the time was that an FBI agent had been stationed at her home in Connecticut, watching over her three-year-old son, Cody.
Days later, while at the movies with her son, an FBI agent approached her with an update—the suspect had been captured. The relief was immediate, but the incident remained a powerful and terrifying memory.
Reflecting on that time, Kathie didn’t hold back her gratitude. “That’s my friend. Donald saved my life, saved my daughter’s life, and if I called him today, [he] would save it again. […] People don’t know that about him,” she said sincerely.
Her story offered a rare glimpse into a side of Trump not often discussed in public—a deeply loyal and protective friend willing to go to extraordinary lengths for those he cared about.
Kathie Lee Gifford’s podcast appearance wasn’t the only time she had made headlines recently. Just weeks earlier, she joined Today for Hoda Kotb’s farewell episode, an event that sparked a wave of reactions online.
On January 10, Kathie made a surprise appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends to bid farewell to her longtime colleague and friend. The studio, adorned with pink and purple balloons, exuded a celebratory atmosphere. The moment was particularly touching when Jenna Bush Hager teased Hoda by playing a video message from Kathie, supposedly sent from Tennessee.
“I always loved hugging you and just drenching in that beautiful sunshine of a smile you have,” Kathie said warmly in the pre-recorded message. She humorously apologized for her absence, joking, “I’m sorry to miss your big day. But you know I’m very busy. Very busy, very important. Not!”
Hoda laughed, touched by the message, only for Jenna to drop the big reveal—Kathie was actually in the studio.
As Kathie walked in, wearing a black lace dress, the room filled with applause. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her subtle makeup highlighted her radiant appearance.
The emotional reunion, however, wasn’t without its share of controversy. As clips circulated online, netizens shared mixed reactions.
“I didn’t even recognize her! She’s done way too much with her face,” one commenter remarked. Others speculated about possible cosmetic enhancements, with some bluntly commenting, “Botox!” and, “Loads of plastic surgery there, Kathie.”
Despite the speculation, many fans admired her timeless beauty. “She looks so good!!!” one admirer gushed. Another wrote, “Kathie Lee looks better than ever. BRAVO!”
One viewer noted how Kathie had a rare ability to always be present for her colleagues during their pivotal moments, referencing her support for Hoda and the late Regis Philbin.
Beyond her appearance, Kathie also opened up in a separate interview about her recent weight loss, revealing that she had lost weight while preparing for a movie role she wrote for herself and actor Craig Ferguson.
Her character, Annabelle, was a widow who dealt with grief through running. “I started getting in training for that long before I started shooting the movie,” she explained.
Grief had also played a role in her transformation. After her husband’s passing in 2015, she struggled with eating. “That’s why they call it a ‘diet’—they die, and you don’t want to eat,” she shared candidly.
In a 2017 interview with Prevention, she reflected on aging with gratitude.
“All day long, life is about choice. Am I going to bemoan the fact that I’m 64 years old or say, ‘Thank you, Lord, I made it to 64’? I’m healthy, I’m employed, my kids are awesome, life is good. I’m grateful.”
With her signature humor, she added, “If you grieve what you’ve lost in life at the expense of being grateful for what you have, you might as well take a dirt nap.”
From a harrowing near-death experience to her continued resilience in the face of grief and public scrutiny, Kathie Lee Gifford remains a force to be reckoned with. Whether on Today, the big screen, or a podcast revealing shocking truths, she continues to captivate audiences with her candor, wit, and unwavering spirit.
