Why Kathie Lee Gifford and Stars Are Swapping Hollywood for Rural America’s Charm

Kathie Lee Gifford, the vibrant former TV host, has joined a wave of celebrities trading Hollywood's glitz for the quiet charm of rural America. After leaving her role on Today in 2019, Gifford relocated from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Franklin, Tennessee, seeking a simpler, more fulfilling life. In a recent interview at QVC's TikTok Super Brand Day in Santa Monica, she shared insights on why stars are ditching Tinseltown.

"Hollywood's allure fades when you realize it doesn't satisfy the soul," Gifford remarked, noting that wealth allows celebrities to afford a lifestyle shift to places like Tennessee. Her own slice of paradise? A modest 10-acre farm she calls 'Orval,' a nod to the French village where she was conceived. The farm, renovated in French-inspired style, honors her late parents, Aaron and Joan Epstein, whose remarkable lives she plans to chronicle in a future book.

Gifford's move was spurred by personal loss and change. After her husband, NFL legend Frank Gifford, passed away in 2015, and her children, Cody and Cassidy, left home, her Greenwich mansion felt like a "morgue." She confessed to battling crippling loneliness, prompting her to seek a fresh start. "I have the freedom of a widow, an orphan, and an empty nester," she said, embracing her new chapter in Tennessee.

Yet, Gifford hasn't entirely cut ties with her past. Her son Cody and his wife, Erika, now live in the Greenwich home where Frank once tossed footballs with his kids. Gifford beams with pride over Cody's renovation efforts, which have breathed new life into the century-old property. "It’s déjà vu watching my grandsons play in the same yard," she said, her voice warm with nostalgia.

In Tennessee, Gifford lives near her daughter Cassidy, who’s expecting her second child, and enjoys the company of 'big stars' with sprawling estates. Her farm, though smaller, is her haven—a place where she feels truly at home. As a QVC ambassador for the Quintessential 50, Gifford also celebrated the platform’s mission to empower women over 50, reuniting with former Today co-host Hoda Kotb at the event.

Gifford’s journey reflects a broader trend: celebrities seeking authenticity over fame. Her story, woven with loss, renewal, and a touch of French flair, underscores the power of chasing a life that feels right.