The former NFL pro died on Kotb's birthday in 2015.
Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford in November 2012; Hoda Kotb in September 2025.
Former Today cohosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb recently reunited to reminisce on the highs and lows of their longtime friendship.
Gifford recalled a particularly bittersweet moment following the death of her husband, Frank Gifford. The former NFL pro died on Kotb's birthday in 2015. Not wanting to spoil her friend's day, Kathie Lee had called Kotb to inform her about Frank's passing, but urged her not to come over.
"I wanted you to know before you got off a plane from New Orleans and saw that on social media or something," Gifford said on a recent episode of Kotb's podcast Making Space. "And I said, 'I don't even want to tell her, because she's gonna come here.' She's gonna say, 'I've got to go be with her. I've got to go hug her. I won't stay long.' I could just hear your process. You pulled a Hoda that day."
Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Johnson pose for photos following their wedding celebration on October 18, 1986 in Bridgehampton, New York
Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee Johnson pose for photos following their wedding celebration on October 18, 1986 in Bridgehampton, New York
Kotb said she was shocked when she heard the news, having seen the couple shortly before Frank's death. Ignoring her friend's wishes, the podcast host left the airport and went straight to Kathie Lee's home.
"I remember walking into your backyard and I saw the back of you," Kotb said. "And I just was standing there ... and you turned around and you go, 'I'm glad you came.'"
Kathie Lee detailed the painful moment she found her late husband's body, although she said his face looked as if "he saw Jesus and Jesus took his breath away."
Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 on TODAY
Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 on TODAY
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Kotb said Kathie Lee's tribute to Frank onToday the following week was one of the most powerful moments during their run as cohosts.
"I don't know that there was anything that we did on our entire show that was more impactful than that day," Kotb said. "That day touched people who were going through incredible tragedy."
In 2019, Kathie Lee Gifford left Today after hosting the fourth hour with Kotb for over a decade. Kotb exited the show last year in order to have more time to take care of her daughter Hope, who has type 1 diabetes.
Check out the full episode of Making Space with Kathie Lee Gifford below.