Kathie Lee Gifford, 70, shares major health update with Today host Hoda Kotb after 'cracked' pelvis setback

Kathie Lee Gifford has shared an important update on her health two weeks after she was hospitalized with a fractured pelvis and claimed that her doctor has branded her 'speedy recovery' as a 'miracle.'

The former TV host, who will turn 71 this week, appeared on Today on Tuesday morning and explained to her former cohost, Hoda Kotb, how she had ended up in hospital at the end of July - just weeks after undergoing a hip replacement.

Prior to her surgery, Kathie had been in 'horrible pain' for more than two years, and post-operation she was doing 'really, really well' and was still in physical therapy, but sadly set herself back when she had an accident at home last month.

She recalled: 'I was running down the stairs here at my home in Tennessee because my friend was locked out of my back door and it was 100 degrees outside and I live in a four-story brownstone. So I just went too fast, in stupid shoes, and I went tumbling.'

Kathie confirmed that the fall left her with a 'cracked pelvis in the front and the back,' but after a short stay in hospital, she was back at home 'walking around on a walker' and realized that she 'wasn't in any pain at all.'

Kathie Lee Gifford (right) shared an important health update with her former Today cohost Hoda Kotb on Tuesday morning

'I was off painkillers, I was off all that stuff and I called my doctor and I said, "Shouldn't I be in a lot of pain?" And he goes, "Yes you should, it's not even been two weeks." So he said, "Come in, I'll give you another X-ray."

'I went in, and this was just last Thursday, and I know that hundreds of thousands of people have been praying for me because I've heard from them... and, you guys, I'm telling you right now, he comes in with my X-ray and he goes, "Look at this Kathy." He said, "Do you wanna see your X-ray?"

'And I go, "That's my X-ray?" [and] he goes, "Yeah, you're completely healed, you are cured. And he's an incredible man of God but he doesn't see that very often. He said, "You are healed, it is a miracle and now you can have one glass of wine if you want,"' Kathie added as Hoda and her cohosts - Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones - burst out laughing.

'Anyway, I have been in no pain now and when that happens to you, you have to give credit and glory... credit to all the prayers, and when I think about the people that have reached out to me and said, "Kathie, have a speedy recovery, we're praying for a speedy recovery," that's about as speedy as you get!' Kathie added. 

The mother-of-two then advised: 'So, if people are out there looking for hope, waiting for their miracles, keep waiting guys, God hears your prayers and he knows what you're going through.

'I'm deeply grateful and I'm still praying for all the friends and loved ones in my life that have not received their healing yet.'

Kathie's appearance on Today come just days after she told ET that she was 'doing well' and felt 'happy to be out of the hospital.'

'As lovely as all those people are to me, they really took good care of me, but there's no place like home,' the TV star said on August 1.

The TV star explained that her doctor described her 'speedy recovery' as a 'miracle'

Kathie, pictured here in April 2024, will celebrate her 71st birthday on August 16

Kathie revealed that as her recovery from hip replacement surgery progressed, she took on book signings and travel, which ultimately led to overexertion and physical strain.

'This is what happens most of the time - you think you're better, because you are so much better, and then you feel like you're back to absolute normal, and you're not,' she added. 'Our bones, things like that, don't heal for sometimes months - even though you feel so much better.'

Over the weekend, Kathie shared a smiley picture of herself relaxing at home as she tucked some food in the sunshine.

She captioned the post: 'So grateful to my wonderful friends @jeffrubysnashville for sending the most incredible crab legs, steaks and all the fabulous fixings to celebrate my speedy recovery. And thank you to everyone who has been so faithful to pray for me. God bless you all.'

Her 642,000 followers were quick to comment on the photo, with one person writing: 'Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!! You look wonderful!!!' while another said: '@kathielgifford you are such a bright light in the world. Your sense of humor is unmatched. Sending love and light your way!!'

A third fan commented: 'kathie u r just too gorgeous,' and a fourth person added: 'So glad to see that face out again.'