Kathie Lee Gifford's Departure From The 'Today' Show: The Untold Story

After a remarkable 11-year run on the iconic Today show, Kathie Lee Gifford stunned her loyal fans with the unexpected announcement on December 11, 2018, that she would be stepping away from the morning television mainstay. While her departure sent shockwaves through the media world, insiders close to the 65-year-old star reveal that her decision to leave wasn’t entirely surprising. These insiders exclusively shared with Closer Weekly that Kathie Lee felt it was “time to move on” as her NBC perks dwindled and her professional landscape shifted dramatically.

Behind the Scenes: What Really Happened

When Kathie Lee first joined the Today show, she was welcomed with an array of special privileges. Over time, however, many of those perks faded into the background. As one insider confided, “When Kathie Lee Gifford first signed with Today, she enjoyed a wealth of benefits. But now, so much has changed. She finds herself sitting alone in the basement while everyone else is upstairs, having fun in the dressing rooms on the first floor. Hoda Kotb has literally moved on, leaving Kathie behind. It's a different world now.”

The Evolution of a Friendship

At one point, Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb were inseparable—they even lived in the same building. Their bond was unshakable. But life has a way of changing things, and that’s exactly what happened here. “Kathie lost her beloved husband, Frank Gifford, and now more than ever, she needs a best friend. But Hoda has moved on. She’s found love, welcomed a child, and secured her dream job. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the time for their friendship anymore,” explained the source. This shift wasn’t just professional; it was personal. Kathie and Hoda stopped spending time together before and after the show, discontinued their regular lunches and dinners, and no longer attended theater performances together.

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A New Chapter in Kathie Lee's Life

Another source revealed that Kathie Lee realized it was time to move forward and embrace new opportunities. “Kathie Lee wanted out. It became increasingly clear that it was time to leave the show after more than a decade. She spent a lot of time praying about this decision. While she cherished the relationships she built with her co-workers, especially Hoda and her crew, she wasn’t satisfied with the direction the network was heading. She knew changes were coming, and she wanted to exit on her own terms, not because someone higher up decided it was time,” the source said.

“She wasn’t comfortable at the network anymore. She expressed her desire to leave on her own terms, not because some executive decided her time was up based on numbers. We’ll certainly miss seeing her on Today, Kathie Lee,” the insider told Closer.

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