Kathie Lee Gifford & Grandson Spend Time In The Sun As She Laps Up ‘Blessed’ Bubbie Life

Jul 31, 2023

Kathie Lee Gifford is a proud grandmother and has shown this in more ways than one. On May 31, 2023, the French-born American television presenter and actress celebrated her first grandchild, Frank “Frankie” Michael Gifford’s first birthday. Frankie is the first child of Kathie Lee’s son, Cody Gifford, and his wife, Erika Brown. Since Frankie’s birth in 2022, Kathie Lee has been doting on him and always enjoys being in his presence. Hence, his birthday was another opportunity for her to show how much she loved him. 

Before Frankie’s birth, Kathie Lee took to Twitter to share a video showing moments from Cody and Erika’s wedding. In the post’s caption, she declared that she was over a blue or pink moon and didn’t care if they gave birth to a boy or girl. Kathie Lee also expressed happiness for her son and daughter-in-law and their family and thanked God for the gift of a baby. 

Kathie Lee’s joy knew no bounds when Frankie was born. On June 6, 2022, she shared a video showing the first time she met the adorable baby. In the video, the proud grandma carried the newborn Frankie and sang sweetly to him while he slept. She captioned the post, “I finally got to meet the sweet little Frankie this weekend and the joy that filled my heart was indescribable! I couldn’t…”

Every moment spent with Frankie has been a blessing for Grandma Kathie Lee, and she can’t wait to have more with him. Thus, her wishes for him on his first birthday conveyed her deepest feelings about him. Read on to learn more about Kathie Lee’s relationship with Frankie and her sweet birthday tribute to him. 

Following Frankie’s birth, Kathie Lee appeared on the "Today Show" and spoke to Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager about being a grandma and spending time with Frankie. During the interview, Kathie Lee, who had an 11-year run on the show with Kotb, revealed that she would love her grandson to call her “Bubbie.” 

In a previous appearance on the show, Kathie Lee disclosed how she arrived at the moniker. She said her friend had an Israeli mother who inspired her to want to be called Bubbie. Kathie Lee revealed that she asked the woman what a good word for a Jewish grandmother was, and she replied, “Bubbalah. It’s Bubbie.” Kathie Lee also revealed that Bubbie means dearest one or cherished one. With that description, Kathie Lee felt it was a no-brainer for Frankie, who is named after her late husband and NFL legend Frank Gifford, to call her Bubbie. She added: 

“And a little kid only goes, ‘Buh, buh, buh, buh, buh,’ anyway. I think it’s going to be easy. Bubbie.” 

Kathie Lee also discussed Cody’s decision to name Frankie after his late dad. She admitted that it caught her off guard but made sense to her. The TV presenter explained: 

“I was surprised Cody named him after his dad because Cody knew what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a great man. But I guess he’s never gotten over, really, and he never will, the loss of his dad at an early age and he was his hero and he still is.” 

In addition to her preferred grandma moniker and Frankie’s name, Kathie Lee revealed that her grandson arrived about three weeks early. Despite Frankie’s early arrival, his grandma said he came at the perfect time when God wanted it. 

Since becoming a grandma, Kathie Lee has been loving life with little Frankie. In a chat with Today Parents on Aug. 29, 2022, Kathie Lee said every moment spent with Frankie was a gift. She also revealed that she knew she was going to love her grandson instantly due to her love for babies. She added: 

“But this is my son’s child — my husband’s son’s son — it’s all such a beautiful tapestry of life and creation.”

Kathie Lee has documented many of her precious moments with Frankie. On Aug. 5, 2022, she shared a video that showed him swinging in his rocker while covered in a furry blanket with the words, “I am loved,” a bible verse from Jeremiah. In the post’s caption, Kathie Lee wrote, “Happy FRANKIE FRIDAY!!” 

On March 20, 2023, Erika shared a video showing Frankie banging on the table alongside his grandma, who sang for him as he giggled excitedly. Erika’s caption for the post read, “It’s been so so special for us 3 to have so much quality time with grandma lately.”

Kathie Lee has undoubtedly enjoyed spending time with Frankie one year after his birth. To celebrate his birthday, she took to her Instagram page on May 31, 2023, to share a recent photo of him smiling alongside the caption: 

“Happy birthday to the sweetest little man in the world. So grateful to God for the gift of Frankie.”

Many of Kathie Lee’s fans commented on her post by gushing about the adorable Frankie and his sweet bond with his Bubbie. Many of Kathie Lee’s fans were also set for a double dose of cuteness when her daughter Cassidy Gifford and her husband, Ben Wierda, welcomed their first child in June 2023.

On June 24, 2023, Cassidy gave birth to the newest addition to the Gifford family – Finn Thomas Weirda. Kathie was one of the first to comment on Cassidy’s Instagram post announcing little Finn’s arrival and said: 

“Cassidy, you and Ben are a wonder. The love you have for each other is so beautifully expressed in the way you care for your newborn Finn, who is the best of both of you! Praise our loving LORD Who is the God of family! I am beyond rejoicing with you, and for you!🙏🏻🐑🎶” 

Since Finn’s birth, Kathie has been doting on the latest bundle of joy, as proven by the touching photos she has shared. On July 2, 2023, she posted a picture of her cradling little Finn in her arms as she stared lovingly down at him. 

“What a joy to spend sweet time with baby FINN. I am the most blessed of women. It seems! Happy Fourth of July everybody,” the caption read.

It was clear that Bubbie was having a blast with little baby Finn as Kathie again shared another photo of her cradling her grandchild a few days later. The photo showed the infant snuggled in some cozy blankets as Kathie Lee gushed about how she was “so blessed to spend the afternoon with my precious little Finn.”

Cassidy responded, “We loved having our Bubbie over ♥️”

Grandmotherhood clearly suited Kathie Lee, who posted a sunny snap of her and Frankie, balanced on her hip, getting in some rays on July 21, 2023. Both wore floppy hats to shield themselves from the sun as they took a little jaunt outdoors. “Heaven…. I’m in heaven! Or as close as I’m going to get to it on this earth! Wishing you all a blessed day,” Kathie Lee captioned the post. 

Do you love the sweet bond Gifford has with her grandchildren? Do you want to see more of their cuteness on display? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members and Bubbies out there.