Kathie Lee Gifford is opening up about her last moments with longtime friend and cohost Regis Philbin, revealing that she felt a divine premonition before his passing in 2020.
A Final Lunch
Gifford, 72, told People that she met Philbin for lunch just two weeks before his death at age 88. As he arrived, she says she heard God’s voice: “This is the last time you’re gonna see him.” The pair spent three hours together, laughing and reminiscing. “I had everything he loved made for him that day. And we laughed, oh, we laughed our butts off,” she recalled.
A Second Message
Two weeks later, while traveling in the South, Gifford says she again heard God’s voice urging her to return home. Upon landing, she received the heartbreaking news that Philbin had died. “I don’t hear him, but I know his voice,” she explained.
A Friendship Beyond Television
Though they cohosted Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee from 1985 to 2000, Gifford said their bond grew stronger after she left the show. Living near each other in Greenwich, Connecticut, they often spent time together until Gifford’s move to Tennessee in 2019.
Joy Philbin’s Tribute
After Philbin’s death, his wife Joy told Gifford, “Kathie, the last time I heard Regis laugh was with you.” The sentiment underscored the deep friendship the two shared, both on and off screen.
A Legacy of Laughter
Philbin, beloved for his warmth and wit, left behind a legacy as one of television’s most enduring personalities. Gifford’s story highlights not only their friendship but also the spiritual comfort she found in their final moments together.
