After the announcement, co-host Hoda Kotb presents a touching compilation tribute of the 65-year-old TV legend.

AceShowbiz - It's too soon! After announcing her departure from "Today" in early December 208, Kathie Lee Gifford has announced her official last day on the NBC daytime talk show.

The legendary TV personality announced in the Monday, February 25 episode of the show that she would be taking a bow on April 5. It falls right before the 65-year-old TV host's 11-year anniversary which would have been on April 7.

After the announcement, co-host Hoda Kotb presented a touching compilation tribute of Gifford. The footage featured a slew of fellow TV legends, including Andy Cohen, Jay Leno and Katie Couric, delivering sweet messages for her.

"First of all, I wanna say thank you for putting yourself out there," Couric said in the clip. "For sharing yourself and your wisdom and your extraordinary spirit."

Regis Philbin joined others in the tribute. Gifford's old partner in crime said, "Kathie Lee, you wanna know the best part of my life? It was 15 years I spent with you." Jerry Springer went on praising Gifford, "Well, what makes her such a great interviewer is that she is asking exactly what you would ask sitting at home."

Leno, meanwhile, noted that women found Gifford charming because "she's one of the girls." He added, "And men like her because she can be a little outrageous and over the top in a funny, sexy way."

Gifford broke the devastating news back in December, saying, "I have something to share with everybody, and it's bittersweet, as these things always are." She continued saying, "I've been here almost 11 years--thought I would stay here one year. Something happened along the way: I fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess. And now, when it's our 11th anniversary I'm going to be leaving the 'Today' show."

"I know. It's an exciting time for me and I'm thrilled about all the projects that are coming up," she promised. "But it's also hard, because the reason I stayed longer than a year is because I love everybody so much."

Fans are wondering who would be tapped to fill in her spot on the talk show, with many pointing Jenna Bush Hager as the frontrunner. Some fans, however, are just hoping that Gifford will just change her mind about leaving.

Of the matter, co-host Al Roker said, "Well, I think we're just kind of ignoring it. That maybe she'll change her mind. You know… it's gonna be very bittersweet but, you know, she has been such a great part of 'Today', so it's -- I don't wanna think about it!"

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