Regis Philbin co-host Kathie Lee Gifford recalled the joyous last time they met before her death at 88.
Gifford appeared on “Today” on Monday to talk about her lifelong friend, who starred alongside her in her daytime talk show “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee” from 1985 to 2000. She revealed that the last The time he saw Philbin, he went on a laugh-filled visit to his Connecticut home with his wife, Joy.
“I was so thankful that the Lord gave me that last time,” said Gifford. “And it was very valuable because when I spoke to Joy the day I found out just after his death, she said, ‘Kathie wasn’t there.’ She didn’t laugh in a long, long time. She said, ‘I was so worried about him.'”
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“I think he was like Frank. He was ready, you know? … And she said, ‘The day we came to lunch with you was the last time I heard him laugh.’ That will forever be a precious gift that the Lord gave me. I had to laugh again with one of my best friends in all my life. “
Kathy Lee Gifford remembered the last time she saw former co-host Regis Philbin.
(Michael Stewart / GC Images)
Although he was happy to return to where he was with Philbin, he noted that his age was beginning to show during his last visit, giving him a subtle hint that it was time to prepare for his passing.
“I felt much more fragility than I had seen in him since the last time in January in Los Angeles,” added Gifford. “We sit right here on my porch, and laugh sick. We always pick up right where we left off … After they left, I thought to myself, ‘Sir, is this the last time I go. To see my friend? Because he was failing, I realized. “
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Philbin’s family confirmed the news of his death in a statement to Fox News on Saturday.
“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night from natural causes, a month before his 89th birthday,” the statement said.
“His family and friends are always grateful for the time we spent with him, for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his unique ability to make every day something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for her incredible support throughout her 60-year career and asking for privacy as we mourn her loss. “
‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ host, Regis Philbin
(ABC Mitch Haaseth via Getty Images)
Gifford previously paid tribute to his co-star on Instagram shortly after news of his death was confirmed. While Gifford, 66, admitted that there was simply “no words to fully express” his love for his “precious friend,” he called his life “legendary.”
“I just adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together joking, arguing and giggling, a tradition and friendship that we share to this day. I smile knowing that somewhere in Heaven, right now in At the time, he’s making someone laugh, “he wrote.
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Gifford’s statement continued: “I am very comforted to know that you had a personal relationship with your Lord that brought you great peace. I sent all the love of my heart to Joy, her children, the rest of her family, and the countless people who he played during his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be. “
