Why Kathie Lee Gifford forgave her husband Frank Gifford’s infidelity: “It was devastating”

Kathie Lee Gifford recently spoke about her new memoir on the Today Show. The former NBC co-host reveals details on some very personal topics in her latest book, including her late husband’s infidelity, which made the headlines on the tabloid.

Kathie Lee Gifford | Tyler Essary / NBC / NBCU Photo Bank

The former “Today Show” star is set to open in a new book

Gifford’s Book, It’s Never Too Late: Encourage Others to Realize Their Dreams Regardless of Age: Make the Next Act of Your Life the Best Act of your Life. She covers her recent professional activities as well as a review of the more difficult moments in her life. Married to NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford from 1986 until his death in 2015, Gifford talks about the tumult their relationship suffered after her husband’s affair in 1997.

“It’s not a rose bed,” the former Today star told Entertainment Tonight. “I mean, we fought a long time after that. He knew I would never be exactly like me again until I knew the truth about what he had done. “

Although Gifford rarely spoke of her husband’s infidelity, she previously commented on the sensitive issue to buddy and former co-host Hoda Kotb.

RELATED: Kathie Lee Gifford shares what Regis Philbin told her after she announced she was leaving “today”.

“It takes a lifetime to build that kind of friendship and story together and to instill trust,” Gifford told Kotb. “And it takes a stupid decision to destroy it… Sometimes you run out of time to rebuild it. I was grateful that we could. “

How Kathie Lee Gifford could forgive her husband

Because of her career in the limelight, Frank’s infidelity was made public by the media. The outside attention only weighed on her family, which included son Cody and daughter Cassidy. Gifford revealed that attending marriage counseling with her husband started the healing process, particularly according to some wise words from the therapist.

“He said words that are now on my heart,” Gifford recalled. “‘Kathie, if you cannot forgive your husband, forgive the father of your children.”

The new perspective seemed to tear down a wall for Gifford where she could see her spouse in a more favorable light despite his actions.

“It was an enlightening moment,” revealed former Live With Regis and Kathie Lee star. “It took my eyes from me and turned them directly to my children, who weren’t even aware of their father’s infidelity. My children’s father was a wonderful, loving, gentle, compassionate, generous, and sweet man. He was easy to forgive because I knew his heart. “

“Then You Came Out” star hopes her story will help others

Gifford reflected on her journey through the difficult times and was grateful that she and Frank were able to restore their marriage and keep their family together.

“We stayed together, we saved our marriage, we – by God’s grace – saved our children,” she observed. “I knew that my children would be very, very different people if we had split up then.”

Gifford’s hope to offer comfort and encouragement to others who may be experiencing similar circumstances.

RELATED: The Today Show’s Hoda Kotb Says Former Co-host Kathie Lee Gifford Is Not An “Open Book”

“All these years later,” commented Gifford, “I keep hearing from people saying I’m still married because you went through this.”

It’s never too late now it’s on sale.