Television December 11, 2018
Kathie Lee Gifford Announces ‘Today’ Show Exit
NBCUniversal
On Tuesday morning, Kathie Lee Gifford broke the news that she is leaving the “Today” show after 11 years.
While showing love for colleague Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee said, “I have something to share with everybody. It's bittersweet, as these things always are. But, I've been here almost 11 years. Thought I would stay one year. Something happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess."
Holding back tears, she added, “And now, when it's our 11th anniversary, I'm going to be leaving the 'Today' show. It's an exciting time for me, and I'm thrilled about all the projects that are coming up. But it's also hard, because the reason I stayed longer than a year is because I love everybody here so much."
"It's bittersweet, as these things always are…”@kathielgifford announces she will be leaving TODAY on her 11th anniversary in April 2019. pic.twitter.com/YsHIq6c9ev
@TODAYshow
Tearing up, Hoda revealed to Kathie Lee, “The moment you stepped into my life with both feet, everything changed.”
Gifford will say goodbye to the show in April. In a statement, NBC News President Noah Oppenheim said, “As we all know, Kathie Lee's plate has been overflowing lately with film, music and book projects, and after giving us eleven extraordinary years, she's decided to focus her attention full-time on those other creative endeavors.”
