News

Actions

Kathie Lee Gifford's mom Joan dies, host mourns on social media

Kathie Lee Gifford's mom Joan dies, host mourns on social media
Posted
and last updated

Kathie Lee Gifford is paying tribute to her mother, Joan Epstein.

The "Today" co-host tweeted Tuesday that her 87-year-old mother had passed away.

"My precious mother, JOANNIE went home to JESUS & my DADDY this morning," Gifford tweeted. "We praise God for His promise of eternal life & we thank God for her."

Gifford's father, Aaron Epstein, died in 2002.

Joan Epstein was known to "Today" viewers for her appearances and her daughter's warm words about her.

Gifford was known to talk to her mother every morning before her show.

"She's a grateful person. And I always try to make her laugh when we talk in the morning," Gifford said last year in a Mother's Day column. "I call her Joanie Nancy Cuddles Epstein. (Cuddles was a nickname the boys gave her at school because she was gorgeous and her last name was Cuttell.)"

The official Instagram account for Gifford and her "Today" co-host Hota Kotb posted a photo of Gifford and Epstein.

"Kathie Lee's beloved mom, Joan, has died at the age of 87," the caption read. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to KLG and her entire family."

Kotb posted on her personal account a photo of her and Gifford with their mothers, writing "We will miss you sweet Joannie."

Gifford's daughter Cassidy also remembered her grandmother on her Instagram account.

"Jesus & Pop Pop are much cooler, anyhow and I know they're both smiling now that they have you back... so until we meet again, love you to heaven, Cuddles," she wrote.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

03/17/2026

Clear

-° / 62°

3%

Wednesday

03/18/2026

Clear

96° / 63°

3%

Thursday

03/19/2026

Clear

94° / 62°

3%

Friday

03/20/2026

Mostly Clear

94° / 65°

2%

Saturday

03/21/2026

Partly Cloudy

91° / 61°

3%

Sunday

03/22/2026

Partly Cloudy

87° / 58°

2%

Monday

03/23/2026

Partly Cloudy

86° / 59°

1%

Tuesday

03/24/2026

Mostly Clear

86° / 57°

1%