Kathie Lee Gifford opens up about her decision to forgive her late husband Frank Gifford's affair, sharing the profound impact that practice has had on her life and relationships.
Kathie Lee Gifford, known for her candid and inspiring approach to life, has shared her personal experiences with forgiveness and betrayal in a recent interview. Revisiting the tumultuous period when her husband Frank Gifford's infidelity was revealed, she emphasized the transformative power of forgiveness and its ability to liberate individuals from the shackles of bitterness and resentment.
Gifford's decision to pardon her husband, announced in a candid interview with Entertainment Tonight, stemmed from a deep-rooted conviction that harboring negative emotions only perpetuates misery for both the victim and those around them. "I could have let the seed germinate but I don't want to be that person," Gifford explained, acknowledging the profound choice she had to make in that moment.
Drawing lessons from a previous marriage that ended in betrayal, Gifford had cultivated a philosophy of "immediate forgiveness" to avoid the corrosive effects of resentment. "You don't hold on, don't wait to forgive ... you're only hurting yourself," she asserted.
The timing of Frank Gifford's affair, when their children Cassidy and Cody were young, added an acute layer of pain, but Gifford's commitment to forgiveness remained steadfast. She attributed her ability to forgive to her Christian faith, which teaches compassion and the transformative power of love.
Fast-forwarding to the present, Gifford expresses no regrets about her decision to forgive her late husband. She has found that forgiveness has paved the way for a legacy of healing and reconciliation. "I still have people approach me on the street and thank me for being open about forgiving my husband," Gifford shared, reflecting on the impact her story has had on others.
She cautions against bottling up resentment towards one's partner, likening it to a cancer that can consume the soul. "We all make our choices -- he [Frank] made a different one than I did, and we all live with them," Gifford acknowledged, highlighting the importance of personal accountability. "But I can live with the choices I have made if I have truly experienced a deep and abiding forgiveness of that person."
In her 2020 memoir, "It's Never Too Late: Make the Next Act of Your Life the Best Act of Your Life," Gifford candidly detailed Frank's affair, a testament to her commitment to truth-telling and personal growth.
Despite the challenges they faced, Gifford and Frank Gifford remained married for nearly 30 years, navigating the aftermath of the affair with the support of their faith and love for their children. Frank Gifford died of natural causes in 2015 at the age of 84.
Reflecting on the trajectory of her life, Gifford emphasizes the importance of living a meaningful existence, regardless of the trials one may encounter. In her upcoming book, "I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste," she shares practical advice and inspiring anecdotes to encourage readers to embrace their purpose and leave a lasting impact on the world.
Kathie Lee Gifford's journey of forgiveness and resilience serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for growth, healing, and the transformative power of love. By choosing to forgive, she has not only found liberation from the pain of betrayal but has also inspired countless others to embrace the path of reconciliation and blessing.
