Kathie Lee Gifford recently shared a powerful and emotional story on the Sage Steele Podcast, offering listeners a glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of her life. Reflecting on her career, the grief of losing her husband Frank, and her unique friendship with Donald Trump, Kathie revealed a chilling incident from 31 years ago.

While preparing to host the Miss America Pageant, Kathie was unaware that an FBI agent had warned Frank about a dangerous criminal targeting her. The FBI advised Frank to act normally to avoid alerting the suspect, but Frank, determined to protect Kathie and their newborn daughter, reached out to Donald Trump. Kathie became emotional recounting Trump’s reassuring words: “I’ve got your girls, don’t worry.”

The next day, Kathie was shocked when Trump personally arranged for a helicopter and a security team to protect her. For days, she had round-the-clock protection, unaware of the severity of the threat until reading about the death threat in the newspaper the morning of the pageant. Despite the danger, Kathie refused to cancel her hosting duties.

Kathie’s gratitude for Trump’s intervention was clear: “Donald saved my life.” Her story shed light on a loyal side of Trump not often discussed. Kathie’s strength and resilience continue to inspire, from overcoming grief to thriving in her career.