Kathie Lee Gifford talks about her life

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - During 15 years co-hosting LIVE with Regis and Kathie Lee and 11 on the fourth hour of NBC’s Today, Kathie Lee Gifford has lived her life like an open book.

Many of her most ardent admirers know Gifford best through the books she’s written herself.

Her 1992 autobiography I Can’t Believe I Said That, 2010′s Just When I Thought I Dropped my Last Egg, and 2020′s It’s Never Too Late were all New York Times best-sellers.

“How about we stop judging people’s choices, because we don’t know where they came from,” said the 68-year-old mother of two and new grandmother-to-be.

“How about we show them a little more love? Our choices, even if they’re benign at the time, are stepping stones to the next choice,” she continued.

The author, actress, lyricist, and screenwriter says moving to Tennessee more than three years ago has played a significant role in helping her remain remarkably open. She is quick to share life lessons from what she says stems from a faith-filled, loving, and safe childhood.

“I was raised in a family where I knew I was loved,” Gifford explained. “I’m surrounded now by so many people in my life that I feel I need to take care of them in one way or another. Because anything you don’t get in childhood that you need, you spend the rest of your life trying to find. And you fill it with all kinds of things that are not healthy for you. Not healthy. It gives you more compassion for people.”

As for her prolific creativity - Gifford has also written multiple children’s books, a full Broadway musical, a feature film she also starred in, and numerous faith-based projects - she gives all the credit to the Creator at the core of her Christian faith.

“We’re all made in God’s image, and we are supposed to pass on creativity to the world,” Gifford added. “You want to be happy? Wake up every morning with something you need to build, write, and share. Because somebody needs it.”

On Monday and Tuesday night, Feb. 21-22, Gifford takes the stage at the Jamison Theater in Franklin. She is co-starring with Patrick Cassidy at Studio Tenn’s production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Love Letters.”

For tickets, click here.

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