Kathie Lee Gifford is one of the most iconic names in American television, thanks to her longtime stints on shows like “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” and “Today.” Now, Gifford, who recently released a new book, the second in her biblical non-fiction series, is opening up about her final lunch with Regis Philbin and his passing.
Kathie Lee Gifford Kept In Touch With Regis Philbin After Leaving ‘Live’
Gifford announced on air in July 2000 that she was leaving “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee.” This came after she had hosted the hit ABC morning talk show alongside Philbin for 15 years. Notably, her announcement came as a surprise to her beloved co-host.
In March 2026, Gifford spoke to PEOPLE about the relationship she maintained with Philbin after leaving the show. According to her, “I saw him a lot. We became much closer friends even as the years went on, after I left. We lived very close to each other in Greenwich.”
The Former ‘Today’ Host Saw Regis Two Weeks Before His Death
Gifford continued her PEOPLE interview, saying she moved to Tennessee after leaving “Today” in 2019. Despite the move, she and Philbin made a point of having lunch every two weeks. She told the outlet, “I saw him two weeks before he died.”
Gifford continued, “We had a three-hour lunch, and I had everything he loved made for him that day. And we laughed, oh, we laughed our butts off.”
After that, she discussed his death, saying somehow she knew. According to the author, “I was back in [the South] and had writing sessions and recording sessions and was always busy, but then one morning I woke up, and the Lord told me very clearly — I don’t hear him, but I know his voice, if that makes any sense — and he said, ‘Get on a plane and go home.’”
She added, “I didn’t know why he said it, but I got on a plane, and no sooner had I landed than I turned my phone back on and there was a message from a dear friend who said, ‘I’m so sorry about your friend Regis.’ And I knew, because when I’d seen him two weeks before, when he got out of the car to come into my house, [the Lord] said, ‘This is the last time you’re gonna see him.’”
The Beloved Talk Show Host Passed Away In July 2020
According to Today, Philbin passed away on July 24, 2020, only one month before his 89th birthday. Months after his passing, Gifford appeared on “The Talk” and discussed her friend and his final days, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a toll on the former host and his mental health.
She said, “He had been depressed in the weeks and months earlier, because of the COVID. You know, Regis couldn’t perform anywhere; nobody was out and about, and he couldn’t be Regis for people, you know? And it broke his heart.”
Gifford then said, “One of his dearest friends had just recently died of COVID. He was pretty much in a depression, I think. Regis just lived to make people happy. He certainly made me happy for the 35 years that we were great friends.”
She Recently Released A New Book
Gifford released her latest book, “Nero and Paul,” co-written with Dr. Bryan M. Litfin, on March 10, 2026. This came after she first announced the book in July 2025.
Previously, in 2024, she spoke to Woman’s World about her passion for writing Bible-based content. Gifford said, “My fascination with Herod goes back to my first rabbinical trip. We believe that Jesus’ story is the greatest ever told. Well, Herod is the greatest story never told, unless you are some sort of a scholar.”
The former host then discussed her co-writer, saying, “My son, Cody, found this fantastic co-author for me [Brian M. Litfin, PhD], and Cody suggested a series of different books called Ancient Evil, Living Hope. The next one, I think, will be Nero and Paul. There’s always been evil, but there’s always been God’s presence in the world as well.”
Kathie Lee Gifford Recently Criticised The LGBTQ+ Community
Gifford appeared on the “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless” podcast in March 2026. While on the show, the topic of Gifford reconciling being a traditional Christian with supporting gay rights came up. She responded, “That one is a four-letter word, and it’s called L-O-V-E, love.”
However, after saying she had many gay friends, Gifford offered one criticism, saying, “I don’t even know how many letters there are now. They’ve really got to stop with that. We know what you mean, you know?”
Still, she admitted that it was not her place to tell people how to live their lives.
