All About Kathie Lee Gifford’s Children and Grandchildren

Kathie Lee Gifford has achieved success as a TV personality, actress, author, singer and songwriter, but nothing has given her a “sense of purpose” as a mother to her children, Cody Gifford and Cassidy Gifford, and grandmother to Frank Michael Gifford, Finn Thomas Wierda and Matthew Ford Gifford.

Kathie Lee became a mom for the first time when she welcomed Cody with her late husband Frank Gifford in March 1990. Daughter Cassidy followed soon after in August 1993.

“You can’t imagine how your life will change until it actually changes before your eyes,” she said Today 2016. “If you’re not completely ready to have your whole life turned upside down, don’t have a baby.”

Kathie Lee became known for her parenting honesty in public. “I would go, ‘I have mastitis and my nipples are killing me,'” she told Tamron Hall in 2022 about her time hosting Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. “Nobody ever talked about motherhood like that. It was the first time… I got a little graphic about it.”

Now that her children are grown, she says her relationship with them has changed in incredible ways. “They’re both great human beings who have realized that their mom needs them now more than they need me,” she told PEOPLE in 2017. “When your kids finally become good friends, you know you’ve made a difference in your relationship.”

Although her husband Frank died in 2015, she says her late partner was still there for her in big moments — like when both of her children got married in 2020. “At both weddings, we felt like Frank was just smiling,” she told PEOPLE. “I think he had an aerial view.”

At the time, she also hinted that she hoped for grandchildren, saying: “One day, the Lord might bless us with little legs running around… that’s in God’s hands.”

Kathie Lee Gifford and her grandson Frankie. ; Kathie Lee Gifford and her grandson Finn.

Erika Gifford Instagram; Kathie Lee Gifford’s Instagram

Her wish came true with the birth of her grandchildren — Frank in 2022 and Finn and Ford in 2023. According to Kathie Lee, it’s “heaven” to have little ones around, and her children are proud of the grandmother she has become.

“Laughing through life with you is one of my greatest blessings. Incredibly grateful for the wife, believer and mother you are,” Cassidy wrote for her mom’s 70th birthday in 2023. “And you’re a real bug to little Finn!”

Here’s everything you need to know about Kathie Lee’s children, Cody and Cassidy, and grandchildren Frank, Finn and Ford.

Children of Kathia Lee Gifford

Cody Newton Gifford, 33

Kathie Lee Gifford and son Cody Gifford. Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Kathie Lee and Frank welcomed their first child together, son Cody Newton Gifford, on March 22, 1990. He grew up in Connecticut and attended college at the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford before following in his mother’s footsteps and working in the entertainment industry as a producer, screenwriter and founder of Gifford Media Group.

The older Cody gets, the more he resembles his late father, whom he lost when he was 25. “So many people were like, ‘God, Cody looks just like Frank now,'” Kathie Lee said on Today show in 2018. “It really works.”

In May 2019, Kathie Lee announced that her son was engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Erika Brown. “My son is engaged and I couldn’t be happier for him and [Erika]”, she wrote on Instagram with a photo of him and Erika kissing. “Frank adored Erika, he met her on my 60th birthday,” ex Today host shared with PEOPLE. “He loved her smile and he loved her laugh.”

The couple married in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020, with only their parents and siblings present. “God gave us a magnificent day to celebrate this magnificent couple. We are so grateful.🙏🏻,” Kathie Lee shared on Instagram with a photo from the wedding.

The wedding took place in Greenwich, Connecticut, the mansion where Cody grew up and where he now lives with his family. “My son and his wife live there now,” Kathie Lee told PEOPLE after moving to Tennessee herself. “And that makes me so happy.”

Cody and Erika Gifford with their son Frank.

Erika Gifford on Instagram

In December 2021, Cody and Erika announced they were expecting their first child together in a touching Instagram post, adding that they would find out the baby’s gender “the old-fashioned way — when our little ‘squish’ arrives.” Kathie Lee could hardly contain her excitement. “I’m over a blue or pink moon!!! I don’t care which,” she wrote. “So happy for you both @mrsamericagifford and our family.”

The TV personality loved watching his son blossom as a father to his son Frankie. “33 years ago, this beautiful man entered this world, and today he understands what love is,” Kathie Lee wrote in a birthday tribute on Instagram in 2023. “Frank and I were so blessed to bring you into this world, Cody , and now we feel doubly blessed that you and @mrsamericagifford included little Frankie in it.”

Kathie Lee is about to become a grandmother of three, as Cody and Erika are currently expecting their second child together.

Cassidy Erin Gifford, 30

Cassidy Gifford and Kathie Lee Gifford. Michael Kovac/Getty

Cassidy Erin Gifford was born on August 2, 1993 in Greenwich, Connecticut. Cassidy followed in her mother’s footsteps into acting and appeared in TV and film projects including That’s So Raven, Suite Life on Deck, God’s Not Dead, Time Trap and The Baxters.

“My daughter is a very serious acting student,” Kathie Lee said Entertainment Weekly 2007. “She studied at the Strasberg Institute last year here in New York.” Kathie Lee said she will support her no matter what her child wants to do. “I just have to help her make wise decisions. And I will be with her on the set.”

In November 2019, Kathie Lee announced the news that her daughter had gotten engaged to longtime boyfriend Ben Wierda. “So thrilled to announce that my beautiful daughter, @cassidygiff, is engaged to a wonderful man, Ben @letsgetwierd,” she wrote on Instagram alongside an adorable photo of the young couple. Sharing more insight into the special moment, Cassidy revealed she was “face deep in a quesadilla” when Ben popped the question.

Kathie Lee was “grateful” that her late husband met Ben before he died. “Frank has known Ben, Cassidy’s husband, since he was 14 — now 30,” she said.

Cassidy Gifford.

Cassidy Gifford on Instagram

In June 2020, the couple got married “in an intimate setting [Ben’s] backyard in Michigan,” the bride’s manager told PEOPLE. “They plan to have a big celebration when it’s safe to do so in the future.”

That moment happened in October 2021, when the couple enjoyed a beautiful traditional wedding in Nashville surrounded by reminders of Cassidy’s father, including a November 16 proposal date (her father’s jersey number), serving Frank’s favorite candy and placing the number 16 on each table.

“I couldn’t do the father-daughter dance with my dad, so my brother and I danced to ‘What a Wonderful World.’ Then halfway through, which was a surprise, Ben’s dad came in — my father-in-law, Craig — actually came in,” she told PEOPLE. “We had our first dance – and my mum got up and sang too, as she is known to always do!”

Cassidy and Ben announced that they will become parents for the first time in December 2022. “Our little peanut is arriving in June 2023. 🙏 Jeremiah 1:5,” Cassidy wrote alongside an Instagram photo of the tiny sock. “So much more than praise Jesus this Christmas,” she added in a heartfelt post.

On June 24, 2023, the duo welcomed their bundle of joy, Finn Wierda.

Grandchildren of Kathia Lee Gifford

Frank Michael Gifford, 1

Cody Gifford and Frank Michael Gifford.

Erika Gifford on Instagram

Cody and his wife, Erika, welcomed their son, Frank Michael Gifford, on May 31, 2022. “Weighing an incredible 8 lbs., 8 oz. three weeks early, Frank Michael Gifford, ‘Frankie’ changed our lives forever,” Erika wrote on Instagram. “We have not stopped bursting with so much love and gratitude for God’s most precious gift.”

Kathie Lee was immediately delighted with her first grandchild and shared her joy on Instagram. “My heart is breaking. Frank Michael Gifford is here attesting that our God is good, merciful and faithful. And he loves us!”

Frank was named after his late grandfather, a choice that “surprised” Kathie Lee. I was surprised that Cody named him after his dad because Cody knew what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a great man, she told Today with Hoda and Jenna. “But I guess he never got over, really, and never will, the loss of his father at an early age, and he was his hero and still is.”

She added that the middle name Michael “means gift of God, but it’s also the name of Erika’s recently deceased, beloved uncle so both sides of the family are blessed with that.”

The former television presenter also helped her daughter-in-law in decorating the children’s room, which was once Frank’s great-grandmother’s room. “I helped Erika set up the nursery in our house,” she told PEOPLE. “My mom’s room became the new baby room and everyone was happy about it, and I’m sure my mother in heaven was even more happy.”

Cody Gifford and Frank Michael Gifford.

Erika Gifford on Instagram

Kathie Lee spends all the personal time she can with her grandson, including hanging out with him on his birthday, wearing matching hats in the garden, enjoying the holidays and cuddling with him whenever she gets the chance. But even when they can’t see each other, they still use technology to connect. “I FaceTime him every day and he’s a miracle,” she told PEOPLE.

“He’s amazing,” she added of baby Frank. – And everyone thinks that their own grandson is the best in the world, so I won’t say anything except that they are right, their grandson is.

Frank reveals more of his personality every day, says Kathie Lee Today that he looks a lot like his dad. “He’s Cody again, he really is,” she said.

He also looks like his grandfather under the right circumstances. In January 2023, the parents dressed Frankie as the original Frank with a sweater and a beret. “Big Frank—swipe—> Little Frankie,” they captioned the post.

Finn Thomas Wierda

Finn Thomas Wierda.

Cassidy Gifford on Instagram

On June 24, 2023, Cassidy gave birth to a son, Finn Thomas Wierda. She announced the happy news with a precious photo of her little one’s feet on June 30 and the caption: “Our whole world.” Finn Thomas Wierda 24.6.2023. We are so madly in love with you, my friend. Thank you, Lord, for this most precious gift.”

Kathie Lee shared the first photo with her grandson a week later. “What a joy to spend sweet time with baby FINN,” she wrote. “I am the most blessed woman. It seems like! Happy 4th of July everyone.”

Ford Matthew Gifford

Erika Gifford/Instagram

Cody and Erika welcomed their second child, son Ford Matthew Gifford, in November 2023.

“Immense thanks to God for another perfect ‘gift’,” wrote Erika on Instagram. “Welcome to the world, sweet sweet son.” In the comments, Kathie replied: “I’m usually a wordsmith but I’m completely speechless. #Grateful”

The couple announced they are expecting child #2 in June 2023.

“Baby Gifford #2 is coming this winter,” Erika wrote alongside a video showing the family’s pregnancy test and doctor’s office moments. “Thank you so much for all the love and prayers. It meant the world. Gifford, party of 4!!!”

Even before Ford’s arrival, Frankie was showing off his big brother skills.

“The way Frankie walks up to my belly and says ‘hi!’ and ‘baby’ and gives me so many belly kisses all the time it absolutely melts us,” Erika shared in October 2023 alongside a photo of her growing baby bump. “Lately he’s started feeding the baby (my stomach) with his fork or pouring his bottle on my stomach which is driving us crazy… I can’t wait to see him as a big brother.”

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Source: HIS Education