In a recent interview, Kathie Lee Gifford detailed the simple yet profound parenting lesson she taught her children that is now being beautifully embodied by her grandchildren, revealing the heart of a family legacy built on kindness and respect.
The power of a parent’s influence extends far beyond childhood. For television icon Kathie Lee Gifford, that influence has created a ripple effect, a living testament to her values being passed down to the next generation. During a heartfelt conversation on Making Space with Hoda Kotb, the 72-year-old matriarch opened up about the simple, yet profound lesson she instilled in her now-adult children, Cassidy, 32, and Cody, 35, and how it’s now being practiced by her five grandchildren.
The conversation began with a charming anecdote. Gifford recalled a recent lunch outing with her son Cody’s sons, 3½-year-old Frankie and 2-year-old Ford. “Yesterday I was out to lunch,” she said, imitating their actions. “and all the waitstaff comes by, and they both put out their hands out to everybody to go, ‘Nice to meet you!'” This small gesture, Gifford explained, is more than just a cute trick; it’s the foundation of a family philosophy.
When host Hoda Kotb noted that the children’s impeccable manners were reminiscent of her own, Gifford proudly revealed that her grandchildren have gone “beyond that.” They have not only learned the lesson of extending a hand but have also mastered the art of making eye contact and offering sincere well-wishes. This evolution shows that the core lesson isn’t just about social niceties but about genuine human connection and respect for others.
This legacy of kindness is a source of immense joy for Gifford. “I think that’s one of the most joyful things in my life is watching my children be such amazing parents,” she shared, a clear nod to the success of her own parenting journey with her late husband, Frank Gifford. “If Frank and I did anything right, it would be that.” This statement frames her children’s parenting not as an accident, but as the direct result of a carefully cultivated family value system.
The arrival of new babies has only amplified this cycle of love and values. Last year, Gifford expressed her overwhelming excitement for the birth of her first granddaughter, Rosie May, daughter of Cassidy. “Babies are the last great miracle left in life,” Gifford gushed. “She is drop-dead beautiful like her mommy and as sweet as can be. I love to tell people that this is the first time in history that a baby has been born bigger than her mother.” Her pride in her family, both in its expansion and in the character of its newest members, is palpable.
Her son Cody, a father of three, and her daughter Cassidy, now a mother of two, are clearly carrying forward the torch. Gifford’s relationship with her grandsons, in particular, has been a source of immense strength and purpose. “They’re precious and they give me a purpose to get up every morning when everything else is just not the same for me,” she shared last July. “And the only place I can really find it is in the Word of God and in my grandsons.” This deep, personal connection underscores the profound impact these children have on her life, completing a beautiful family circle.
Erika Gifford Instagram ; Kathie Lee Gifford Instagram
Kathie Lee Gifford and her grandson, Frankie. ; Kathie Lee Gifford and her grandson, Finn.
Kathie Lee Gifford’s story is a powerful reminder that the most significant inheritance a parent can leave is not material, but a set of core values. From her children to her grandchildren, the simple act of a handshake and a kind word has become a family tradition, a living legacy that continues to grow with each new generation. It’s a lesson in kindness that proves to be timeless and endlessly rewarding.
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