Today's Kathie Lee Gifford 'is ready to marry' boyfriend Richard Spitz despite friends' fears he's 'not the one for her'

TODAY Show alum Kathie Lee Gifford is ready to marry her boyfriend Richard Spitz despite her friends' fears that he's not the right one for her, The U.S. Sun has learned.

A source close to Kathie Lee has exclusively claimed that the star's friends were pained to hear that she and businessman Richard had rekindled after a brief fallout over his desire to keep their relationship under wraps.

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The insider said: "They were secretly thrilled when they broke up only to have their hopes dashed when they reconciled."

"The issue they have with Richard is that he seems disinterested in the relationship.

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

Despite some friends protesting the romance, the source claimed the former daytime talk show star still wants to take the relationship to the next level.

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"She is in love with him. Privately, she wants nothing more than for the relationship to be public and for them to get married."

According to the well-placed insider, Kathie Lee's friends "wish she would move on and find someone who will love and cherish her."

"After two years, they believe this relationship is going nowhere and that she could do so much better!"

NOT HIDING

The couple was spotted out on a workout last weekend despite talk of a rift.

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In exclusive photos on April 8 in Nashville, the couple walked side by side into an elite Nashville area fitness facility.

An eyewitness said: "They seemed to be enjoying each other's company during their workout together this weekend.

"They were joking around during their personal training sessions."

After their pre-Easter workout, the pair headed back to their gated community where they have their own homes. 

As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Richard was unhappy that their relationship, which had been kept under wraps for two years, finally became public knowledge earlier this year.

RELATIONSHIP REVEALED

Kathie Lee was "relieved" news of her new relationship was finally out in the open- but her businessman other half disagreed, a source close to Kathie Lee said.

"Kathie Lee is secretly thrilled to finally have this relationship out in the open.

"Richard, on the other hand, is not happy at all," the source 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 insider said that as a result of their disagreement over the public aspect of their relationship, the pair had a "big fight."

OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT

One insider close to Kathie Lee claimed the former TV host and the 62-year-old businessman have been dating for nearly two years out of the spotlight.

"Kathie Lee and Richard have been enjoying each other's company for some time," the insider told The U.S. Sun.

"They're often spotted out and about in the Nashville area."

KATHIE LEE OPENS UP

Back in August Kathie Lee revealed to People: "I have someone very special in my life. I’ve discovered that by not talking about it, it stays special."

And in April of 2021, she opened up 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," she notably said at the time.

"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.”

TRAGIC LOVE LOSS

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

The football star battled concussion-related brain disease, CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).

They shared two children, Cody and Cassidy.

Frank reportedly left his entire estate to Kathy Lee which included $10million worth of liquid assets, a $2.5million house in Florida, and a $22million mansion in Connecticut.

Before Frank, Kathie Lee was married to Christian composer Paul Johnson, whom she divorced in 1983.

KATHIE LEE'S CAREER

Kathie Lee is best known for co-hosting ABC's Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee from 1985 to 2000, alongside the late Regis Philbin.

In 2001, Kelly Ripa took over her position.

She later moved to NBC's Today in 2008 to host alongside Hoda Kotb for the fourth-hour segment of the popular morning show.

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