'I Feel Like Mr. Potato Head': Kathie Lee Gifford's Joke About Her Surgeries Belongs On A Mug

Kathie Lee Gifford showed both her trademark humor and a glimpse of the discomfort and exasperation she endured due to a series of urgent and chronic health problems in a recent interview with People. Gifford noted bluntly that she felt a bit like Mr. Potato Head after recovering from several surgeries.

Does Gifford's comment belong on a mug? Definitely, and perhaps some stickers and a mousepad, too, along with an amusing reminder that she was once one of SlimFast's celebrity spokespeople in the '90s. However, what she said is far more than just a buzzy sound bite — it's an insider look into the difficulties she faced related to her health.

The first issue was a total hip replacement, which Gifford had when she was 70 years old. Total hip replacements aren't uncommon, especially among people like Gifford who are part of the baby boomer generation; per the Southern California Orthopedic Institute, the average age of a typical total hip replacement patient is 65. In fact, hip replacements may be on the rise: According to a 2023 review in Arthroplasty, the number of total hip replacement surgeries increased by nearly 70% between 2006 and 2014.

The idea of replacing a hip might sound scary, particularly if you aren't sure what to expect after a hip replacement. Nonetheless, the procedure can actually lead to multiple benefits, including a much stronger hip, improved balance, and reduced discomfort when moving.

Regrettably, Gifford couldn't celebrate her journey to a healthier hip for long. Soon after her hip replacement, the legendary talk show host ended up breaking her pelvis. At the time, she told People, "I am back in the hospital with a fractured pelvis," adding that a broken pelvis is "unbelievably painful." As if hip surgery and a painful pelvis weren't enough, Gifford broke more bones over the course of a few months. And then she found out that she needed to get a cataract procedure.

Although none of these medical challenges is unusual in people who are aging, Gifford's case was particularly difficult because she felt like she was falling apart. Hence, the Mr. Potato Head quip — and a brutally honest admission that she sometimes felt like she was ready to die as a result of all her issues. As she noted to People, "I've had emotional pain many times in my life, but never this chronic physical pain where you literally want to go home to Jesus." That said, she added that she never went through suicidal ideation; she was just overwhelmed.

Gifford's psychological struggles after dealing with a constant barrage of unexpected and painful health problems aren't unusual. On the contrary, many people experience symptoms of depression and frustration when faced with chronic health problems that affect their quality of life, movement, and goals. 

A 2010 study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry showed a correlation between suicidal ideation and chronic illness. However, the researchers also found a bright side: Treatments aimed at helping patients feel happier could reduce their pervasive thoughts about dying.

The key takeaway is that Gifford never gave up and seems to be in a better place mentally and physically at this point, stating, "I'm a tough broad." What's left for the star who's ready to run around with her grandkids now that her ailments are in the rear view mirror? Perhaps she just needs to brand her witty statement and start selling merch.