Kathie Lee Gifford’s Road to Recovery: A Story of Resilience and Faith

Kathie Lee Gifford, the beloved television personality, has been through a challenging time lately. After undergoing hip replacement surgery, she suffered a setback when she fell and fractured her pelvis in two places. The 70-year-old former Today co-host opened up to PEOPLE about her experience, sharing a story of resilience, faith, and the importance of slowing down.

Gifford’s fall occurred when she was recovering from her hip replacement surgery. She had been signing books in Nashville and, in her own words, “weakened her body” by moving 300 books by herself. The next day, she tripped and fell, resulting in a fractured pelvis. “It’s my own fault,” she admitted, acknowledging that she had pushed herself too hard.

Gifford spent over a week in the hospital, undergoing physical therapy to aid in her recovery. She described the experience as “humbling” and acknowledged that she needs to slow down and take care of herself. “You think you know your body, and the next thing you know, your body changes when you get older,” she said.

Despite the challenges she’s faced, Gifford remains optimistic and grateful for the lessons she’s learned. She’s come to realize that it’s time to slow down and appreciate the fruits of her labor. “The Lord is telling me it’s time to slow down. I’ve been running my whole life. The Lord is telling me, ‘You’ve planted a gazillion roses. Try smelling them,'” she said.

Gifford’s hip replacement surgery was a result of her active lifestyle, which included climbing mountains, making movies, and performing on stage. While the recovery has been painful, she doesn’t regret living life to the fullest. “I was doing what God put me on this earth to do. Every year of it, I was doing what He called me to do,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gifford’s new book, Herod and Mary: The True Story of the Tyrant King and the Mother of the Risen Savior, has just been released. The historical nonfiction book tells the story of Herod and Mary, offering a fresh perspective on the biblical narrative. Gifford was inspired to write the book after a rabbinical trip to Israel, and her son Cody encouraged her to share the story with the world.

As Gifford continues on her road to recovery, she remains committed to her faith and her mission to spread hope and kindness. “I don’t know how much time the Lord has me still on this earth, but for whatever time it is, I pray that I would be useful… that I would be kind and helpful, and loving to people,” she said.