Kathie Lee Gifford Reflects on Life After ‘Today’ as She Wins Her Last Emmy for the Show: ‘It’s Nonstop’

It’s been just over a month since Kathie Lee Gifford departed Today, but we’re still celebrating her legacy. That’s because she and former cohost Hoda Kotb recently won an Emmy for the fourth hour of the NBC morning show, the perfect end to their 11-year era.

“No adjustment necessary,” the 65-year-old exclusively told Closer Weekly at the 2019 Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday, May 5, about life after Today. Kathie Lee noted that she is busy at work on new music as well as writing and directing films. “It’s nonstop, I know that. I get up earlier than I used to!”

Kathie Lee also admitted that she doesn’t watch the show anymore and doesn’t miss being on it either. Looking back, the author said the bonds formed over the years mean the most to her. “I miss the people,” the former Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee star explained. “Friendships. It’s not about the work. It’s about the relationships — always.”

“I don’t want to do it anymore,” the singer-songwriter added. “I want to do really powerful, creative work and I want to tell stories. I’m grateful for what I’ve had — deeply grateful. When it’s time for you to leave, you should leave. Too many people stay too long. I’ve never done that. When the Lord tells me, ‘It’s time to go, girl,’ I say, ‘Yes Lord. Where are we going?'”

While accepting the award — something she called a “lovely, lovely surprise” — Kathie Lee thanked everyone on behalf of her and Hoda, 54. She also wished Hoda and Jenna Bush Hager success on Today as they go about “making it their own” and credited Regis Philbin for teaching her “everything about just showing up and being real.”

“Congrats Kath!!!!” Hoda tweeted the following day. “You were great last night ❤️❤️.” Like Kathie Lee, the new mom-of-two also congratulated the show’s producers for doing such a great job. On top of that, she said her kids, Hope Catherine and Haley Joy, were excited for everyone, too.

Kathie Lee and Hoda always were — and continue to be — quite the dynamic duo.