Kathie Lee Gifford Says Regis Philbin Struggled With Depression Prior To His Death

Prior to the passing of Regis Philbin, long time friend Kathie Lee Gifford says the coronavirus took a toll on him.

Gifford, 67, revealed Philbin grappled with depression months before his death during her appearance on The Talk. According to her, e had a hard time dealing with the novel pandemic.

“He had been depressed in the weeks and months earlier, because of the COVID,” she said.

“Regis couldn’t perform anywhere… he couldn’t be Regis for people. And it broke his heart,” the TV personality said.

And to make matters worse, Gifford said he had lost “one of his dearest friends” to the virus, PEOPLE reported.

“He was pretty much in a depression I think. Regis just lived to make people happy,” she continued. “He certainly made me happy for the 35 years that we were great friends.”

The two last saw one another when Philbin came to her home for lunch with his wife of 50 years, Joy Philbin who told Gifford “that was the last time she heard him laugh.”

“That was a sweet gift from God to me that he blessed that friendship even at the very end,” Gifford said. “There was nobody like him ever, and there will never be another like him, ever.”

Gifford and Philbin were the hosts of Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee from 1988 to 2000. They became a household name and iconic duo with their playful banter and natural connection while on TV.

Philbin lost his battle with heart disease on July 24 in Greenwich, Connecticut at the age of 88.

Although Gifford departed the show the two remained close, after his passing, Gifford shared a post on Instagram in honor of friend, “There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis. I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly—a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day. I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh,” Gifford continued. “It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace. I send all the love in my heart to Joy, to his children, to the rest of his family and to the innumerable people he touched over his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be.”