Kathie Lee Gifford Surprises Former Co-Host Hoda Kotb on Last Day atTodayand Toasts Her With a Giant Glass of Wine

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Hoda Kotb; Kathie Lee Gifford.Photo:NBC

NBC

Kathie Lee Giffordis back atTodayfor a very special send-off!On Jan. 10, the television personality, 71, tricked her former co-hostHoda Kotbas she sent a pre-recorded video message to congratulate her on her last day before surprising Kotb, 60, and walking onstage.In the video message, Gifford said she was “wishing” she was there in person to celebrate Kotb and to have a chance to “hug” her. “I’ve always loved hugging you,” she said, before praising Kotb as “so beloved.“Gifford said she was “sorry to miss your big day, but you know I’m very busy,” which made both Kotb and her co-hostJenna Bush Hagerlaugh, before appearing in front of the ladies.“So you fell for that?” Gifford teased her longtime friend, who admitted she had “wondered” if her former co-host would make an appearance.“I was thinking to myself, I sure hope Kathie comes,” Kotb said.(L-R) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford are pictured on Today with Hoda and Jenna.NBCGifford then broke out into song and serenaded Kotb before reflecting on their 11 years hosting the fourth hour ofTodaytogether.“My problem is, I fall in love. And I fell in love with Hoda,” Gifford said.Though she originally thought she “couldn’t do better than” her first co-hostRegis Philbin, Gifford said that in the same way she would “look forward to every day to be with” the lateLivehost, whodied in 2020, so, too, did she enjoy every moment with Kotb.“She’s sunshine in a bottle,” Gifford continued. “You’re a fearless person, you are.“TheTodayteam then brought out a few large glasses of wine for Kotb, Gifford and Bush Hager, 43, and allowed Gifford to do one final toast for her former co-host.“May you walk into the most joyful, prosperous, purposeful time in your life with those precious daughters that I watched come into your life, what a blessing that was,” Gifford said ofHaley, 8, and Hope, 5. “And once those babies came, I knew it was time. She ain’t gonna be here long. So bless you, my dear friend."(L-R) Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Kathie Lee Gifford are pictured.NBCIn September, Kotb announced herdecision to leavethe morning show after 17 years on air.Moments before sharing the news with the public, the journalistwrote in a letterto staff of the NBC morning show and explained her decision to leave.“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” the letter began. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love youandit’s time for me to leave the show.“Though her broadcast career has been “beyond meaningful,” Kotb admitted that her daughters and her mother “need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.” She added, “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.“While she will not longer be the co-anchor ofToday, the journalist said she’ll remain at the network in a new capacity.“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she wrote. “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine."(L) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.Heidi Gutma via GettyShortly after Kotb announced her departure, Giffordpaid tribute to her legacyonTodaywith a touching statement shared on X.“Bittersweet news as my dear friend@hodakotbsteps away from the Today Show,” she wrote at the time, alongside photos of them hosting the fourth hour ofToday.“Her warmth, laughter, and incredible spirit have brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts,” she continued. “Here’s to new adventures!”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Todayairs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.

Kathie Lee Giffordis back atTodayfor a very special send-off!

On Jan. 10, the television personality, 71, tricked her former co-hostHoda Kotbas she sent a pre-recorded video message to congratulate her on her last day before surprising Kotb, 60, and walking onstage.

In the video message, Gifford said she was “wishing” she was there in person to celebrate Kotb and to have a chance to “hug” her. “I’ve always loved hugging you,” she said, before praising Kotb as “so beloved.”

Gifford said she was “sorry to miss your big day, but you know I’m very busy,” which made both Kotb and her co-hostJenna Bush Hagerlaugh, before appearing in front of the ladies.

“So you fell for that?” Gifford teased her longtime friend, who admitted she had “wondered” if her former co-host would make an appearance.

“I was thinking to myself, I sure hope Kathie comes,” Kotb said.

(L-R) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford are pictured on Today with Hoda and Jenna.NBC

Gifford then broke out into song and serenaded Kotb before reflecting on their 11 years hosting the fourth hour ofTodaytogether.

“My problem is, I fall in love. And I fell in love with Hoda,” Gifford said.

Though she originally thought she “couldn’t do better than” her first co-hostRegis Philbin, Gifford said that in the same way she would “look forward to every day to be with” the lateLivehost, whodied in 2020, so, too, did she enjoy every moment with Kotb.

“She’s sunshine in a bottle,” Gifford continued. “You’re a fearless person, you are.”

TheTodayteam then brought out a few large glasses of wine for Kotb, Gifford and Bush Hager, 43, and allowed Gifford to do one final toast for her former co-host.

“May you walk into the most joyful, prosperous, purposeful time in your life with those precious daughters that I watched come into your life, what a blessing that was,” Gifford said ofHaley, 8, and Hope, 5. “And once those babies came, I knew it was time. She ain’t gonna be here long. So bless you, my dear friend.”

(L-R) Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Kathie Lee Gifford are pictured.NBC

In September, Kotb announced herdecision to leavethe morning show after 17 years on air.

Moments before sharing the news with the public, the journalistwrote in a letterto staff of the NBC morning show and explained her decision to leave.

“As I write this, my heart is all over the map,” the letter began. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love youandit’s time for me to leave the show.”

Though her broadcast career has been “beyond meaningful,” Kotb admitted that her daughters and her mother “need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie.” She added, “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.”

While she will not longer be the co-anchor ofToday, the journalist said she’ll remain at the network in a new capacity.

“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart,” she wrote. “I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.”

(L) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.Heidi Gutma via Getty

Heidi Gutma via Getty

Shortly after Kotb announced her departure, Giffordpaid tribute to her legacyonTodaywith a touching statement shared on X.

“Bittersweet news as my dear friend@hodakotbsteps away from the Today Show,” she wrote at the time, alongside photos of them hosting the fourth hour ofToday.

“Her warmth, laughter, and incredible spirit have brightened our mornings and touched countless hearts,” she continued. “Here’s to new adventures!”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Todayairs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.

source: people.com