Former Today co-host Kathie Lee Gifford has “wanted to die a few times” amid several health issues, but she is now able to run “all over the place” with her five grandchildren and hopes to have ” many, many years with them”.
Kathie Lee Gifford has “wanted to die a few times” amid several health issues.
The 72-year-old TV presenter has suffered numerous broken bones in recent years, including hip and arm fractures, which left her unable to play with her five grandchildren.
Kathie Lee has joked she has felt like Hasbro toy Mr. Potato Head at times, and in her toughest moments she “didn’t want to be here” anymore.
Speaking to PEOPLE, she said: “I wanted to die a few times.
“I wasn’t going to hurt myself. I wasn’t going to kill myself. I just didn’t want to be here – as blessed as I am.
“I feel like Mr. Potato Head! One thing falls off and then another.
“But you have to have a sense of humour about everything. Thank God I’ve never lost that, even in my bleakest moments. I’m a tough broad.
“When I look back on all of these years in this industry, I go, ‘I can’t believe I didn’t fall apart years ago.’
“I’ve never abused [my body], I just used it.”
When the former Today co-host does head to the other side, she wants to be remembered as a kind and funny individual.
She said: “I want to be remembered as somebody that if they only met me one time, they think, ‘She was kind. She made me laugh.’ “
However, following multiple surgeries and undergoing physical therapy six days per week, Kathie Lee can run “all over the place” with her grandchildren nowadays.
She added: “They’re all fantastic. I’m hoping, Lord willing, that I have many, many years with them.”
Last year, Kathie Lee, who previously co-hosted Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, admitted her health was “perfect” but her body was “crumbling”.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: “I’ve had a really, really tough last three years with parts of my body that have just worn out because I did so much in my life.
“I had my hip replaced, I had my shoulder done – that was from an old injury that finally got so bad, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Yet my health is perfect! I am crumbling!”
Kathie Lee Gifford has ‘wanted to die a few times’ amid multiple health issues
