After her husband’s passing and her retirement from the “Today” show following an 11-year run, Kathie Lee embraced her new journey by purchasing a $3.7 million brownstone in Franklin, Tennessee, through her production company, Widow’s Peak Pictures.
Reflecting on her decision, the celebrity shared, “The work that I want to do isn’t here anymore. I am an artist, I’m an actress, I’m a writer, I’m a songwriter, a director now. That’s the stuff that feeds my soul, and I know that I’m running out of time to do those things.”
Kathie Lee found comfort and community in Nashville, which she praised as a place with a “culture of kindness” and joy during a 2019 “Today” show appearance.
Looking back on her decision to move, she remembered how her Connecticut home, once vibrant with family life, had become a place of deep loneliness after her husband Frank’s passing.
“It went from being the most teeming, thrilling, joyful, all the dog sounds, the kid sounds, the smoke in the grill and, you know… it just was life,” she said, describing how the emptiness eventually felt “like a mortuary.” She knew it was time to start over, adding, “I need to make a new life for myself or this one’s gonna kill me. The loneliness was crippling.”
Embracing her new life in Nashville, Kathie Lee also enjoys the comfort of family visits. In late 2019, she shared a heartwarming snapshot of her children, Cassie and Cody, along with their partners, during a family gathering at her Tennessee home.
Captioning the moment, she wrote, “So fun finally having my kids and their loves home for a Nashville visit.” In addition to family gatherings, Kathie Lee also welcomes friends to her Nashville home.
However, one visit took an unexpected turn in late July 2024. She candidly talked about the ordeal during an appearance on the “Today” show.
The public figure, who was recovering from hip surgery then, recalled that while hurrying to unlock the backdoor for a friend in the sweltering 100-degree heat, she “went tumbling” on her stairs.
“It didn’t take much, because I was weak in that spot,” Kathie Lee revealed in another interview, adding, “And the next thing you know, I am back in the hospital with a fractured pelvis, the front and the back. That’s more painful than anything I went through with the hip. The pelvis is unbelievably painful.”
Kathie Lee Gifford discussing her injury after falling on the stairs at home. | Source: YouTube/TODAY
After her recovery, the celebrity resumed sharing glimpses of her spacious 7,965-square-foot estate, an inviting two-story home with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. The author’s home reflects her refined taste, with vaulted ceilings and impressive architectural details throughout.
