Kathie Lee Gifford recently left audiences speechless with a jaw-dropping revelation on the Sage Steele Podcast, uncovering a harrowing ordeal from her past that had remained under wraps for decades. The beloved TV host, known for her warmth and humor, took a deeply personal dive into her storied career, the loss of her husband Frank Gifford, and her unexpected reliance on none other than Donald Trump during a life-threatening crisis.
In a conversation filled with raw emotion, Kathie recounted a terrifying moment from 31 years ago when she was gearing up to host the Miss America Pageant. With her newborn daughter by her side, she had no idea that danger was closing in—until the FBI delivered a chilling warning to Frank. A dangerous fugitive had singled her out as a target.
Authorities instructed Frank to remain calm and act as though nothing was amiss to avoid tipping off the suspect. But Frank refused to gamble with his wife and child’s safety. Desperate for a solution, he turned to someone he knew he could count on—Donald Trump.
Through tears, Kathie recalled Frank’s urgent conversation with Trump. “Donald told him, ‘Frank, don’t worry. I’ve got your girls. I’ve got your girls, and you don’t have to worry,’” she said, her voice thick with gratitude. That promise was enough for Frank to breathe a little easier.
The next day, Kathie received a call that sent shivers down her spine—Trump was personally stepping in. He arranged for his private helicopter to fly her and her baby home safely, while his top-tier security team surrounded her, ensuring no harm came her way. “There were four of his guys there,” she recalled, still shaken by the memory.
For days, she lived under 24-hour protection, with armed guards stationed outside her hotel room. But it wasn’t until the morning of the pageant that she grasped just how real the danger had been. Over breakfast, she casually flipped through a newspaper—only to be confronted with a headline exposing a direct threat against her life. “I read it and thought, ‘Oh, that looks interesting,’” she admitted, before the horrifying realization hit.
Despite the fear, Kathie refused to be intimidated. When asked if she wanted to back out of hosting duties, her response was fierce: “Hell no! Nobody’s going to make me afraid.”
Trump’s security detail remained by her side throughout the event, and once the pageant wrapped, she was whisked away through a secret exit to avoid any lurking danger. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, an FBI agent had been stationed at her Connecticut home, watching over her three-year-old son, Cody.
Days later, the nightmare ended when the suspect was finally apprehended. An FBI agent approached her while she was out at the movies with her son to deliver the news—relief washed over her, but the fear never fully faded.
Now, decades later, Kathie still credits Trump with saving her life. “That’s my friend. Donald saved my life, saved my daughter’s life, and if I called him today, he would do it again,” she declared. Her story shed light on a side of Trump rarely seen in the headlines—a fiercely loyal protector willing to go to extraordinary lengths for those he cares about.
Kathie Lee’s Surprise Today Appearance Sparks Controversy
This bombshell revelation wasn’t the only time Kathie made waves recently. Just weeks ago, she stole the spotlight on Today, making a surprise appearance for Hoda Kotb’s farewell celebration. The studio, decked out in pink and purple balloons, buzzed with excitement as Jenna Bush Hager played a heartfelt video message from Kathie—who jokingly pretended she was too busy to attend.
Hoda chuckled at the playful jab, only for Jenna to deliver the ultimate surprise—Kathie was actually in the studio! As she walked in wearing a chic black lace dress, her signature blonde waves flowing over her shoulders, the crowd erupted in applause.
But not everyone was cheering. As clips flooded social media, speculation ran wild over Kathie’s seemingly ageless appearance. Critics wasted no time dissecting her look, with some bluntly accusing her of excessive cosmetic work. “I didn’t even recognize her! Too much done to her face,” one commenter declared, while others bluntly called out, “Botox!” and, “Loads of plastic surgery!”
Still, plenty of fans came to her defense. “She looks incredible!” one admirer gushed. Another chimed in, “Kathie Lee is stunning. People need to stop being jealous.”
Weight Loss, Grief, and Resilience: Kathie’s Journey to Reinvention
Beyond the drama, Kathie also opened up about a personal transformation. While preparing for an upcoming movie role, she revealed that she had shed some weight. The film, which she wrote for herself and actor Craig Ferguson, features her playing a widow who copes with grief by running—a journey she prepared for both physically and emotionally.
Losing her husband in 2015 had a profound impact on her, including her relationship with food. “That’s why they call it a ‘diet’—they die, and you don’t want to eat,” she admitted.
But even through loss, Kathie remains a beacon of resilience. Reflecting on aging, she summed up her philosophy with characteristic wit: “If you grieve what you’ve lost at the expense of being grateful for what you have, you might as well take a dirt nap.”
A Legend Who Refuses to Fade
From surviving a near-death experience to standing strong in the face of online criticism, Kathie Lee Gifford continues to prove she’s a force to be reckoned with. Whether revealing shocking untold stories, making surprise TV appearances, or embracing life with humor and grace, one thing is clear—Kathie isn’t going anywhere.