When Two Legends Met: Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford's Unlikely Partnership

There’s something magical about how two people can come together and create something unforgettable. For Hoda Kotb, her time hosting alongside Kathie Lee Gifford on Today was a chapter filled with laughter, memories, and pure joy. But did you know that this legendary partnership began with a spur-of-the-moment decision? Hoda, now 59, shared the backstory of how Kathie Lee, then 70, joined the show during an appearance on Busy This Week, as reported by People on July 3, 2023.

Hoda Kotb recalled the moment when Kathie Lee Gifford was first introduced to the idea of guest hosting on Today. At the time, Kathie Lee had already carved out a successful career in television and music, but this new opportunity came about in the most unexpected way. Picture this: Hoda and her team spotted Kathie Lee sitting at a table during a networking event. They knew they had to act fast.

The Pitch: Convincing Kathie Lee to Join the Show

Hoda described the moment vividly: “We saw Kathie Lee sitting there. We’re like, ‘Oh my God. It’s Kathie Lee Gifford.’ So we walked over to her table, and we’re like, ‘Look. I know this is crazy and last minute. You don’t know us, but would you please come on as a guest host for one day? Just one day only.’” It was bold, it was unexpected, and it was exactly the kind of moment that sets great stories in motion.

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Kathie Lee, who was juggling multiple projects at the time, didn’t dismiss the idea outright. Instead, she checked her schedule to see if it was even possible. And, as fate would have it, it worked out! “She goes, ‘Let me check.’ So she said she’d come,” Hoda recalled. “That woman showed up, hair extensions, boobs out, ready to play. She was amazing. She dazzled the crowd. She did what she does.”

Kathie Lee's Impact on Morning Television

Kathie Lee's one-day appearance quickly turned into something much bigger. Her bright personality, years of experience, and undeniable charm made her a natural fit for the Today show. Hoda remembered the moment when the show's executives realized they had something special: “When it was over, the bosses came over, and they came over [and] they shook her hand. They said, and from that moment on, Kathie Lee was going to be on the Today show. Like she changed the face of that part of morning TV.”

Hoda Kotb on How Kathie Lee Gifford Landed Today Gig — John Lamparski/WireImage

Beginning in 2008, Kathie Lee sat alongside Hoda on Today With Kathie Lee and Hoda. Fans of the singer-songwriter were thrilled to see her back on morning television after she left Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee in 2000. For 11 years, Kathie Lee brought her signature charm and warmth to the show, making every day brighter for viewers across the country. Her departure in 2019 marked the end of an era, but her legacy continues to shine brightly.

A Heartfelt Farewell: Kathie Lee's Final Days on 'Today'

In March 2019, Kathie Lee expressed her feelings about leaving the show during an interview with Hoda on SiriusXM. “I’m leaving a building. I’m leaving a certain job,” she said. “I’m not leaving Hoda. I’m not leaving my dear friends at NBC that have been there for me through the years. I’m setting out on the rest of my journey.” It was a bittersweet moment, filled with gratitude and excitement for what lay ahead.

“Hoda’s going to get on a plane with me the minute we end that [final] show, and she’s going to go and we’re going to have a girls’ weekend,” Kathie Lee added. “We’re going to have many girls’ weekends.”

On April 5, 2019, Kathie Lee bid farewell to the Today audience in a star-studded final episode. Her children, Cassidy and Cody Gifford, paid tribute to their mom in an emotional video. “To you, mom is a TV legend,” Cody, 34, said during the clip. “To us, she’s a legendary mom.” Cassidy, 30, echoed those sentiments, saying, “The best qualities that my mom has, the ones that I’ve looked up to in my life — her heart, her kindness — is something that she leads with. She is one of the kindest people on the planet.”