Kathie Lee Gifford’s Surprise-Filled Goodbye To The Today Show

After 11 years on The Today Show, Kathie Lee Gifford is saying goodbye for good! The 65-year-old celebrated her last day on the morning show Friday, and it was certainly a day full of surprises.

The episode began with a performance by Flo Rida, who performed his song “My House.” Gifford’s son, Cody Gifford, was there to celebrate his mother, as was her good pal Rita Wilson, but Gifford explained her daughter Cassidy was working on a film!

“I feel great. The last two weeks since all this crazy stuff began, I had no expectations. We have fun and we have a friendship and it’s real and we have a great love and affection and respect for our audience,” she shared with the audience.

“When I am alone, like in the mornings, and I’m there with my puppies and my fire going and stuff, I have such a peace about it all. It could be an anxiety-ridden time, but it isn’t. I knew that it was the right decision, and the way everybody’s dealt with it so graciously. Usually, you have to die before people say such nice things about you.”

Gifford then gifted the entire audience a four-night cruise, which definitely got everybody excited! The longtime host was then surprised with a sweet video from her former Live With Regis and Kathie Lee co-host, Regis Philbin.

“Kathie Lee, you want to know the best part of my life, my TV life, the 15 years I spent with you, 1985 to 2000. We stayed friends throughout the entire game and it was a lot of fun,” the 87-year-old said in the clip.

“Where you are right now, I know you are going to be moving on to a great new career making movies, and since I’ve seen the first one, I know you’re going to be a great success. I really mean it. I want you to know how I will always remember the great times we had working together and how you are as a person, just great.”

Barry Manilow came to give a special performance and the 65-year-old’s children also shared a sweet message for the mother. Gifford and Hoda Kotb then shared one last toast with their fellow Today show colleagues — including Al Roker, Jenna Bush Hager, Carson Daly, Willie Geist, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin — and the rest of the crew.