Joan Epstein, the mother of veteran TV host Kathie Lee Gifford, has died at the age of 87. Gifford confirmed the news in a statement to fans Tuesday night on Twitter.

“My precious mother, JOANNIE went home to JESUS & my DADDY this morning. We praise God for His promise of eternal life & we thank God for her,” Gifford wrote.

>> See the tweet here

During Gifford's time on the "Today" show, Epstein often stopped by the studio to share some of her favorite recipes.

Gifford's daughter, Cassidy, also shared a post in honor of her late grandmother.

“Jesus & Pop Pop are much cooler, anyhow and I know they’re both smiling now that they have you back… so until we meet again, love you to heaven, Cuddles,” she wrote.

>> See the post here

Gifford's "Today" co-host, Hoda Kotb, had kind words to share on Instagram about "sweet Joanie."

“We will miss you sweet Joannie xoxoxo,” Kotb wrote.

>> See the post here

Gifford's father, Aaron Epstein, died in 2002.

(H/T "Today")

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Roey Shoshan sits inside the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody on Friday, June 27, 2025. Shoshan was born and raised in Israel and has lived in the United States for more than a decade. (Natrice Miller/AJC)