Kathie Lee Gifford is opening up about the extraordinary supernatural experiences that have shaped her Christian faith-from seeing Jesus as a young child to what she describes as frightening encounters with demonic forces and a miraculous healing later in life.
The beloved former Today co-host made the stunning revelations during an appearance on the Blurry Creatures podcast while promoting her latest book, Nero and Paul. Throughout the candid conversation, the 72-year-old insisted that the spiritual realm is far more real than many people realize.
Gifford recalled that her earliest encounter with Jesus happened when she was just six years old. She said she dreamed she was raking leaves with her father when she looked up and saw Jesus sitting on a cloud.
"He looked down at me, smiled, and said, 'Kathie,'" she remembered, describing the experience as one she has never forgotten.
Years later, at age 13, Gifford said her life changed forever after watching Billy Graham's evangelistic film The Restless Ones. During the altar call, she believes she heard Jesus personally speak to her.
"Kathie, I love you, and if you'll trust me, I want to make something beautiful out of your life," she recalled hearing.
Gifford said she accepted Christ that day and has never once regretted the decision. She later became friends with Billy Graham and credited the legendary evangelist with leading her entire family to faith.
But it wasn't only uplifting spiritual moments that marked her journey.
The television icon also shared chilling stories of what she believes were demonic encounters. One incident occurred when she was a teenager walking along a Delaware boardwalk. After declining marijuana offered by a group of surfers and invoking the name of Jesus, she said the young men suddenly became hostile and followed her before mysteriously disappearing.
Perhaps her most unsettling experience happened during a trip to Israel when she was 17. While visiting Bethlehem, Gifford said she encountered a monk whose appearance suddenly transformed into something terrifying.
According to Gifford, the man's eyes turned blood red, his teeth appeared orange, and his demeanor became unmistakably sinister.
"You know it when you see it," she said, explaining that although she has sensed demonic oppression throughout her life, she had rarely witnessed it manifest so dramatically.
Despite those frightening experiences, Gifford said she has also witnessed God's miraculous power firsthand. She shared that after suffering a fractured pelvis, she experienced what she believes was divine healing.
"God is still in the miracle business," she said. "He's just waiting for us to ask."
She also pointed to reports of people in Iran encountering Jesus in dreams, saying she believes God continues to work in extraordinary ways around the world.
Throughout the interview, Gifford emphasized that her faith has always been central to her life and career. Rather than describing herself as religious, she said she values having a personal relationship with God over following rules or traditions.
She also challenged Christians to become more like Jesus by personally serving those who are hurting instead of simply supporting ministry from a distance.
Now an author, filmmaker, grandmother of five, and passionate student of biblical history, Gifford said she has reached a point where she no longer worries about public opinion.
Instead, she credits God with giving her the courage to live boldly, adding that for Christians, death is not something to fear but the beginning of eternity with Jesus.
"It's the best day of our entire life," she said, "because we go straight into the arms of Jesus."
