At a Glance
- Kathie Lee Gifford says her grandchildren are learning the same manners she taught her own children.
- The 72-year-old mother of two, now a grandmother of five, sees her family’s values passing through generations.
- Her grandchildren’s sweet greetings and eye contact are a source of pride and joy.
- Why it matters: The story shows how parenting lessons can ripple outward, shaping future generations.
Kathie Lee Gifford opened up on the January 21 episode of Making Space with Hoda Kotb about how her grandchildren are growing up with the same values she instilled in her adult children. She highlighted their polite greetings, eye contact, and overall good manners, describing them as a “joyful” continuation of her family’s tradition.
Grandmother’s Values Pass to Grandkids
During the January 21, 2024 episode, the former Live! host, now 72, spoke about her 4-month-old grandchild Faith, 2-year-old Ford, and 3-½-year-old Frankie. She recalled a lunch outing where the boys greeted everyone with a handshake and a “Nice to meet you!”
> “Yesterday I was out to lunch. Cody’s little boy Frankie is 3½, and little Ford just turned 2, and all the waitstaff comes by, and they both put out their hands out to everybody to go, ‘Nice to meet you!'”
When Hoda Kotb noted that the boys’ manners echoed the ones she remembered from Gifford’s own children, the veteran host added that the grandchildren have gone “beyond that.” She described their eye contact and well-wishes as evidence of further growth.
Family Tree and Grandchildren
Gifford is a grandmother of five. Her son Cody has three children-Faith, 4 months; Ford, 2; and Frankie, 3-together with his wife Erika Brown. Her daughter Cassidy is mother to daughter Rosie May, 6 months, and son Finn, 2, with husband Ben Wierda.
| Grandchild | Parent | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Faith | Cody & Erika | 4 months |
| Ford | Cody & Erika | 2 |
| Frankie | Cody & Erika | 3 |
| Rosie May | Cassidy & Ben | 6 months |
| Finn | Cassidy & Ben | 2 |
The family’s newest addition is a baby girl born to Cassidy, the first grandchild of Gifford’s who is also the first granddaughter of the former Today host.
> “Babies are the last great miracle left in life. They never cease to amaze you, astound you and delight you,” Gifford said. “I am so in love already with this precious little girl!”
She added, “I can’t even believe I am saying the word ‘girl’ cause I got so used to ‘boys,’ and I love our boys, but this girl is gonna rule the roost. She is going to rule the whole world.”
Gifford also mentioned the baby’s size, noting that the little girl was born 9 lbs 3 oz, larger than her mother who is 5′ 3½”. She praised the baby’s beauty and health, calling her “drop-dead beautiful like her mommy and as sweet as can be.”
Joy of Watching Newborns
In a previous interview with News Of Los Angeles, Gifford said watching her children become parents was one of the most joyful things in her life. She reflected on her late husband Frank, stating, “If Frank and I did anything right, it would be that.”
She also shared that the only place she truly finds joy is in the Word of God and in her grandchildren. She described them as precious and a purpose that keeps her up each morning.
> “I’m just so grateful for them. 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 told News Of Los Angeles. “Life is just so different and I just try to find joy when I can find it.”
Reflections on Faith and Family
Gifford’s remarks highlight the intergenerational transmission of values. By modeling politeness and respect, she has cultivated a family culture that extends beyond her own children to include her grandchildren. Her enthusiasm for the newest family member underscores her ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Key Takeaways
- Grandparents can profoundly influence the next generation’s behavior.
- Gifford’s family values-politeness, eye contact, and gratitude-are evident in her grandchildren’s interactions.
- The arrival of a new baby girl adds a fresh chapter to a family already rich in love and tradition.
- Faith, Ford, Frankie, Rosie May, and Finn represent the living embodiment of Gifford’s parenting legacy.
The story serves as a reminder that the lessons we teach today echo into tomorrow, shaping the people who will one day pass them on.
