Kathie Lee Gifford's Question On Live TV That Made Martin Short Uncomfortable

Publish date: 2024-05-04

Martin Short married Nancy Dolman in 1980, and the two shared three kids. Sadly, in 2010, she died of ovarian cancer at age 58. According to Radar, she had been dealing with the disease for three years. However, while he spoke of his wife's tragic death on many occasions, the news never got back to Kathie Lee Gifford.

So, when Gifford interviewed Short on the "Today" show in 2012, oblivious of his wife's death, it made for one of the most awkward television moments in recent memory. "He and Nancy have gotten one of the greatest marriages of anybody in show business. How many years now for you guys?" Gifford asked (via CNN) while Hoda Kotb sat quietly by her side, seemingly unaware of the blunder or unwilling to correct it. Short responded that the two had been married for 36 years. "But you're still like in love," Gifford pressed on, to which Short replied, "Madly in love." The awkwardness lingered for a few more moments as Gifford questioned Short, who took the gaffe in stride. 

After the interview, Short came clean to Gifford about her mistake. When the show returned from a commercial break, she gave a profuse on-air apology for the error. She later tweeted, "I send my sincerest apologies to @MartinShort and his family. He handled situation w/enormous grace and kindness and I'm so grateful."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZmamhoZX53hY6kmK2gmZp6rbHEZp6inpakv6W%2FjKqsnquknryvec6nZKWhppp6tcKMrZ%2BarF2irqWxjKaYq6yZo3q0tM6rq2atnpi8rrLOq6uampyafA%3D%3D