Kathie Lee Gifford Net Worth

Overview

Kathie Lee Gifford, born Kathryn Lee Epstein on August 16, 1953, is an American television presenter, singer, songwriter, actress, and author. She is best known for her 15-year co-hosting role on ‘Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee’ (1985-2000) alongside Regis Philbin, and for her 11-year run on the fourth hour of NBC’s ‘Today’ show with Hoda Kotb (2008–2019). Gifford’s career began as a singer on ‘Name That Tune’ in the 1970s. She has also been a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines. Besides her television career, Gifford has released several music albums and written numerous books, showcasing her diverse talents. She has received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations and won her first in 2010 as part of the Today team. She was married to Frank Gifford, a sportscaster and former NFL player, from 1986 until his death in 2015. Gifford has continued to work in film and television, often incorporating her faith and personal experiences into her projects.

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What Is Kathie Lee Gifford’s Net Worth?

Kathie Lee Gifford, an American television personality celebrated for her roles as a talk show host, actress, singer, and writer, has amassed a considerable net worth of $60 million. Her financial success is primarily attributed to her lengthy career in television, notably her work on NBC’s Today show and Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kathryn Lee Epstein, born in Paris, France, on August 16, 1953, began her journey toward stardom during her high school years in Bowie, Maryland, where she sang in a folk group. She further pursued her passion for music and drama at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, setting the stage for her diverse career. In the 1970s, Kathie Lee gained initial recognition as a vocalist on the game show Name That Tune. She secured roles on shows like Hee Haw Honeys by 1978.

Television Success and Endorsements

Kathie Lee Gifford’s career took off when she replaced Anne Abernathy as the co-host of The Morning Show on WABC-TV in 1985. The program transitioned into Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1988 and achieved national syndication. This role significantly boosted her visibility, making her a household name across America. In 2008, Kathie Lee joined NBC’s Today Show as a co-host alongside Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour. By the subsequent year, Kathie Lee Gifford helped raise Today’s ratings by 13%. She departed from the show in 2019, also securing an Emmy Award that year. Beyond talk shows, Kathie Lee Gifford has appeared in several films and television programs, including a cameo in a 1994 episode of Seinfeld and voice acting work on the animated TV series Hercules in 1998. In 2006, she starred in a concert performance of Annie at Madison Square Garden. Kathie Lee Gifford has endorsed Slim-Fast drinks and appeared in Carnival Cruise advertisements.

Real Estate Portfolio

Kathie Lee Gifford has made strategic investments in real estate, often with her late husband, Frank Gifford. In 2019, she acquired a $3.7 million home in Franklin, Tennessee, after relocating from her longtime residence in Connecticut. This brownstone, constructed in 2008, features an expansive 9,000 square feet of living space. Less than a year before, Gifford purchased another brownstone home in the same area for $3.7 million, with a slightly smaller footprint of 7,965 square feet. Back in 1998, Kathie Lee and Frank purchased a getaway home in Nantucket for $5.8 million. In 2018, she listed a property in Key Largo, Florida, for $10.5 million, initially acquired in 1998 for $3.9 million. Kathie Lee Gifford continued to reside in her $22 million mansion in Connecticut following Frank’s passing. Located in Greenwich’s Riverside neighborhood, this Spanish revival home features white stucco and red roof tiles, set on a sprawling lawn. Despite significant damage during Hurricane Katrina, she retained ownership, despite the loneliness she felt in it.

Inheritance

Frank Gifford’s passing in August 2015 at the age of 85 resulted in his entire estate being bequeathed to Kathie Lee. This inheritance encompassed $10 million in liquid assets, a $2.5 million house in Florida, and a $22 million mansion in Connecticut, significantly bolstering Kathie Lee Gifford’s net worth.