Let me tell you, life hasn't always been a walk in the park for Kathie Lee Gifford. Back in 1997, the beloved TV star discovered something that shattered her world: her husband, Frank Gifford, had an affair with a married flight attendant named Suzen Johnson. Can you imagine the weight of that moment? Kathie Lee, who was deeply in love and devoted to her family, felt like her entire universe was crumbling. It's one of those situations where you think, "How do you even begin to pick up the pieces?"
Related: Céline Dion and Kathie Lee Gifford Open Up About Their Husbands’ Losses on ‘Today’
“She thought her whole world was falling apart,” an insider shared exclusively with Closer Weekly. But here’s the thing about Kathie Lee—she’s a fighter, not a quitter. Despite Frank's betrayal, she chose to stay by his side for the sake of their two children, Cody and Cassidy, who were just seven and three years old at the time. Now, picture this: you're in a situation where your heart is broken, but you have these little ones looking up to you, depending on you. That changes everything, doesn’t it? “She told me she packed up her and the kids’ bags at least twice, but she prayed her way through it,” the source continued. “She was torn, but the bottom line is that Frank was an exceptional parent.” That’s the kind of love and resilience that makes Kathie Lee so inspiring.
Read also:Jayne Brown Qvc Age The Real Story Behind The Iconic Host
Frank's Road to Redemption
Frank, Cassidy, Kathie Lee, and Cody in 2012. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Here's the thing about Frank—he wasn’t just some guy who made a mistake and moved on. No, he owned up to what he did, and he worked tirelessly to win back Kathie Lee’s trust. “He apologized and worked hard over the years to regain her trust. He hated himself for what he did,” the insider revealed. And let’s not forget, this is the same Frank Gifford who was a former NFL star. A man of action, not just words. During a recent red carpet appearance, Kathie Lee—who tragically lost Frank to natural causes at the age of 84 in August 2015—told Closer that she has never regretted her decision to stay with him. “If you love him, and he loves you, and you are willing to forgive him, and it is sincere, then work at it, especially if you have children,” she said.
Kathie Lee's Candid Reflections
Kathie Lee, who was married to Frank for 29 years before his passing, opened up candidly about her husband’s affair during a recent episode of Today. “It’s no fun, it’s horrible. You’re broken by it. The people who you love the most are the ones capable of hurting you the most,” she told co-host Hoda Kotb on-air. You can feel the raw honesty in her words. She went on to say, “A lot of people are sorry they got caught; hardly anybody is [truly] sorry they did something. Know the difference. That’s the first thing someone once said to me, if somebody cheats on you, first time see your pastor, priest or rabbi. Second time, see your lawyer. If it’s a pattern, get out and take your kids as fast as you can.”
The Power of Faith and Forgiveness
“It takes a lifetime to build that kind of friendship and history together and trust. It takes one stupid decision to destroy it,” Kathie Lee once said of her marriage. “The ones who make it through [do it with] the help of God. It’s the only way. You better be clinging to God really tight already because you’re going to be practically breaking your hand holding on.” There’s a deep truth in those words. Life throws curveballs, and how we respond defines us. Kathie Lee’s story is a testament to love, resilience, and the power of faith.
Related: Kathie Lee Gifford and Tom Selleck Share a Steamy Kiss on the ‘Today’ Show!
