Kathie Lee Gifford marked her first day back to work on The Today Show — after her husband, Frank Gifford's, death — with a tribute. Gifford held it together, as she thanked her viewers and fans for their support since her husband's passing.
She described the challenges he faced in his childhood, like struggling to have his basic needs met as his father faced unemployment during the Great Depression. She went on to talk about his faith, and to assure those watching that he had a peaceful death, at least in part because of his faith in God and belief in an afterlife. She spoke of his hard work and how grateful he was for all that he had.
Gifford made it through the entire tribute, urging viewers to honor her husband's memory by thanking firemen and crossing guards, as he often did. The host only broke down a little at the end of her speech, and accepted a comforting hug from her co-host Hoda Kotb. Luckily, a crew member was on site to lower down a box of tissues for the hosts.
Gifford had been married to her late husband for almost thirty years; he passed away on August 9.