Kathie Lee Gifford Shares about Regis Philbin's Support during Her Late Husband Frank's Cheating Scandal

Kathie Lee Gifford recalls memories of Regis Philbin being there for her when her late husband Frank was caught in a public cheating scandal.

It is hard to lose a loved one. Irrespective of the age or the circumstances, the death of a beloved friend is painful, and their legacies can only be kept alive by recalling the good times spent together.

Kathie Lee Gifford is mourning the loss of her dear friend Regis Philbin who recently passed away at the age of 88 from natural causes.

In a statement to People, Gifford explained that when her late husband Frank was caught in a public cheating scandal, Regis Philbin was one of the people by her side who helped her through the ordeal.

She added that many people would recall that moment as one of the hardest and most painful times of her life but that Regis had her back through it all. Gifford admitted that,

"But I always knew Regis had my back. He always protected me on the air. (...) And he always supported me in all of that."

Gifford added that although she knew her truth and was not going to be defined by what the world thought of her during that period, she was glad that Philbin supported her through it all.

Gifford and Philbin worked together for 15 years on the show "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee," and upon Gifford leaving the show in 2000, she and Philbin remained friends.

For Gifford, her connection with Philbin was instant, and they both hit things off the instant they met.

Speaking on the last time she saw Philbin, Gifford expressed that she could see he was failing and she wondered to herself if that was the last time she was going to see him as he looked frail.

Regis and Joy Philbin had gone to visit with Gifford a few weeks before his death when she was in the New York area, and according to Gifford, the group spent time catching up and laughing.

She added that Philbin's wife, whom he was married to for almost 50 years, Joy, told her that it had been a while Philbin laughed, and it was during their visit with Gifford that he'd last laughed in a long while.

Gifford intimated that following Philbin's death, she called and paid a condolence visit to the family while also giving them the necessary space to grieve as she understood how it felt losing a loved one.

Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford's relationship has been an impressive one. Over the years, the two have managed to remain friends and kept in touch with each other regularly despite their busy schedules.

For Gifford, her connection with Philbin was instant, and they both hit things off the instant they met. Throughout their careers, both Gifford and Philbin continually encouraged each other. RIP Phibin!