Kathie Lee Gifford’s ex Richard Spitz seen on PDA-packed date with hot blonde as Today alum recovers from fractured hip

KATHIE Lee Gifford’s ex-boyfriend Richard Spitz has moved on with a new woman, as he has been seen getting affectionate with a mystery blonde while on a date in Tennessee.

Kathie Lee, 70, confirmed her romance with Richard, 64, in August 2022 before their split earlier this year.

In exclusive photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, Richard could be seen taking his new woman out on a date in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee on August 9.

The new couple ate at the Southern restaurant Circa Grill.

The businessman wore a gray t-shirt and white jeans for the date night, while the mystery blonde stunned in a long black dress.

She topped off the look with black heels, hoop earrings and a choker necklace.

The two were affectionate during the night out, as he had his arm around her throughout the evening.

She reciprocated the PDA, as she held him during the date as well.

The couple sat outside and met up with friends for dinner.

In a video obtained by The U.S. Sun, Richard was the perfect gentleman, as he opened the car door for her.

IT'S OVER

Kathie’s former Today co-host Hoda Kotb hinted at her breakup from Richard on live TV during a segment with Jenna Bush Hager in February.

During the segment, Hoda, 60, said Kathie Lee "would be perfect" for Golden Bachelorette, an ABC dating show featuring contestants 60 years of age and up.

The comment signaled Kathie had split from Richard, as a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun the former TV host was left upset.

"Kathie Lee was hurt after Hoda and Jenna did a segment on the Golden Bachelorette, and Hoda suggested her old friend Kathie as a candidate for the show,” a source previously told The U.S. Sun.

"Kathie Lee was crushed that her friend outed her relationship status after she had done her best to keep everything with Richard under wraps.”

HAPPIER TIMES

Kathie and Richard live in the same gated community in Franklin, Tennessee, as her brownstone purchased in July 2019 costs a cool $3.7 million.

Kathie's brownstone boasts six bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The Franklin, Tennessee home is south of Nashville and features a basement, private elevator, two-car garage, and private courtyard.

Richard lives just a few doors down and purchased his brownstone in 2020.

The U.S. Sun often obtained photos of Kathie and Richard attending a gym class together on Saturday mornings.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE

The split comes after the couple received backlash over their relationship from Kathie’s children.

A source previously told The U.S. Sun that her adult children Cassidy and Cody felt the relationship was “one-sided.”

An insider previously told The U.S. Sun, “They have a routine - she buys and delivers to him, lunch and dinner, they go to their favorite gym, which she pays for, and he will visit at night but will never stay over.

"Her children and close friends and family are heartbroken that she continues this toxic relationship with this man who they say treats her horribly.

"Cassidy and Cody do not approve of the relationship and want her to move on with her life so she can meet someone who will love and cherish her.”

SECRET ROMANCE

The U.S. Sun also previously reported Richard wanted to keep their relationship under wraps.

This contributed to the family being on the fence about the romance.

"Kathie Lee is secretly thrilled to finally have this relationship out in the open. Richard, on the other hand, is not happy at all,” a source previously told The U.S. Sun.

"He has never allowed his picture to be taken, and is furious that his relationship with Kathie Lee is 'out there' now."

The source continued Richard has "on a number of occasions, denied even being with Kathie Lee when asked in public in front of her."

The insider claimed the pair had a "big fight" over keeping their romance private.

"Kathie Lee wants the relationship to move forward, and he refuses to even acknowledge it publicly and for some reason, she has put up with it,” the source insisted.

'NO EFFORT'

Kathie’s family wasn’t the only ones against the romance, as her friends were also displeased.

"The issue they have with Richard is that he seems disinterested in the relationship,” an insider previously told The U. S. Sun.

"Kathie Lee seems to give it her all, while he appears to give little to no effort."

NEW LOVE

Kathie Lee first broke the news of her romance in August 2022.

"I have someone very special in my life. I’ve discovered that by not talking about it, it stays special,” she told People.

Then in April of 2023, she opened up again about a mystery man on Today.

She said: “It’s just happy, and I don’t want to mess it up, and I probably already have by just even mentioning it.

"To be in a place where you feel like every aspect of your life is good, that nothing’s missing, that’s a beautiful place to be.

"I’m just so grateful. He's the smartest person I've ever met, and he’s funny.”

Kathie Lee was married to NFL star Frank Gifford from 1986 until his death in 2015.

They share two children, Cody and Cassidy.

Kathie Lee Gifford and Richard Spitz's Relationship Timeline

Kathie Lee Gifford began dating Richard Spitz after the death of her beloved husband Frank in 2015.

• Kathie Lee first mentioned the relationship in August 2022, as she told People, "I have someone very special in my life. I’ve discovered that by not talking about it, it stays special"
• In April 2023, she said during an interview on Today, "It’s just happy, and I don’t want to mess it up, and I probably already have by just even mentioning it"
• The U.S. Sun has caught the couple attending gym classes together, including an outing in November 2023
• In February 2024, Hoda Kotb hinted Kathie Lee and Richard had split, as she recommended her for dating show Golden Bachelorette
• Richard confirmed the end of the relationship on August 9, 2024 when he took a mystery blonde to dinner in Tennessee

ON THE MEND

Kathie is currently recovering from a pelvis fracture after undergoing hip replacement surgery.

She told People the "unbelievably painful" injury was her "fault.”

She claimed she "just tripped" one day after a book signing in Nashville and over-exerted herself.

"It didn't take much, because I was weak in that spot," Kathie described.

"And the next thing you know, I am back in the hospital with a fractured pelvis, the front and the back.

"That's more painful than anything I went through with the hip. The pelvis is unbelievably painful. But anyway, here I am."