Kathie Lee Gifford has had a prominent career in television as a presenter, working alongside various figures. That said, many still know her best from her working alongside Regis Philbin. Recently, Gifford opened up about one of the last times she met with her former co-host, even sharing a feeling she had at the time of what was to come.

Kathie Lee Gifford & Regis Philbin Worked Together For 15 Years

Gifford became known to many for hosting Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee with co-host Regis Philbin. The two worked together on this New York-based show from 1985 to 2000, with Gifford eventually being succeeded by Kelly Ripa.

Following this, Gifford had an eleven-year run alongside Hoda Kotb on the fourth hour of Today. Gifford served as a co-host between 2008 and 2019, eventually being succeeded by Jenna Bush Hager.

Speaking with People, Gifford recently opened up about the last lunch she had with Philbin. At the time, she shared that this was two weeks before his death in 2020.

Even after leaving their show, Gifford shared that she and Philbin remained close with each other, noting, “I saw him a lot.” She continued, “We became much closer friends even as the years went on, after I left. We lived very close to each other in Greenwich.”

Gifford Shared What Gave Her Comfort After Receiving The Tragic News

While Gifford had moved to Tennessee by this time, having left Today in 2019, she shared that she would often visit the East Coast, making the trip every six weeks. She also shared that she would regularly check in on her former co-host and old friend.

Gifford continued, noting, “I saw him two weeks before he died. We had a three-hour lunch, and I had everything he loved made for him that day. And we laughed, oh, we laughed our butts off.”

Looking back, Gifford also shared she felt something on the day of Philbin’s passing. She revealed, “I was back in [the South] and had writing sessions and recording sessions and was always busy, but then one morning I woke up, and the Lord told me very clearly — I don’t hear him, but I know his voice, if that makes any sense — and he said, ‘Get on a plane and go home.’”

After landing, Gifford revealed she got a message from a friend sharing their condolences about her “friend Regis.” However, she revealed she had a feeling of what was to come. As she shared, she felt the Lord tell her, “‘This is the last time you’re gonna see him,’” during their last lunch together.

Speaking with the outlet, Gifford then shared something that gave her comfort amid the tragic news: he really enjoyed their final time getting together. Later, when she visited Regis’ wife and kids, she was told, “‘Kathie, the last time I heard Regis laugh was with you.’”

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