'I look forward to knowing her': Kathie Lee Gifford is still processing Caitlyn Jenner's gender affirmation after 35 years of being dear friends with Bruce 

By Cassie Carpenter for MailOnline

Published: 12:49 EST, 16 July 2015 | Updated: 15:09 EST, 16 July 2015

Kathie Lee Gifford admitted she's still processing Caitlyn Jenner's gender affirmation on Wednesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.

The Today co-host - who turns 62 next month - had been 'dear' family friends with Bruce for three decades, and she recently met Caitlyn on the phone.

'It was weird, because it's still Bruce's voice, but it's coming out of Caitlyn's mouth now,' the Daytime Emmy winner told host Andy Cohen.

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'You've got to have time to process it!' Kathie Lee Gifford admitted she's still processing Caitlyn Jenner's gender affirmation on Wednesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live
'You've got to have time to process it!' Kathie Lee Gifford admitted she's still processing Caitlyn Jenner's gender affirmation on Wednesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live

'You've got to have time to process it!' Kathie Lee Gifford admitted she's still processing Caitlyn Jenner's gender affirmation on Wednesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live

'I haven't met her. She called me about a week before the [April 24] Diane Sawyer interview because we hadn't spoken in a while. And I never saw that coming at all, not in 35 years, of being dear friends. I mean, we went around the world together as families.'

Kathie - born Kathryn Epstein - is best friends with the 65-year-old reality star's ex-wife Kris and she's godmother to their daughters Kendall and Kylie.

'I don't have gaydar at all, so I'm certainly not going to have transgender-dar. I just don't. People are people to me,' Gifford explained.  

Still shocked: The Today co-host - who turns 62 next month - had been 'dear' friends with Bruce for three decades, and she recently met Caitlyn on the phone (pictured in 2013)

Still shocked: The Today co-host - who turns 62 next month - had been 'dear' friends with Bruce for three decades, and she recently met Caitlyn on the phone (pictured in 2013)

The Daytime Emmy winner told host Andy Cohen: 'It was weird, because it's still Bruce's voice, but it's coming out of Caitlyn's mouth now. She called me about a week before the [April 24] Diane Sawyer interview'

The Daytime Emmy winner told host Andy Cohen: 'It was weird, because it's still Bruce's voice, but it's coming out of Caitlyn's mouth now. She called me about a week before the [April 24] Diane Sawyer interview'

She continued: 'We hadn't spoken in a while. And I never saw that coming at all, not in 35 years, of being dear friends. I mean, we went around the world together as families' (pictured in 2013)

She continued: 'We hadn't spoken in a while. And I never saw that coming at all, not in 35 years, of being dear friends. I mean, we went around the world together as families' (pictured in 2013)

Extended family: Kathie - born Kathryn Epstein - is best friends with the 65-year-old reality star's ex-wife Kris (M) and she's godmother to their daughters Kylie (R) and Kendall (pictured July 7)

Extended family: Kathie - born Kathryn Epstein - is best friends with the 65-year-old reality star's ex-wife Kris (M) and she's godmother to their daughters Kylie (R) and Kendall (pictured July 7)

'I think it's much easier for people to get used to it who don't know her as a person. And I don't know her. I look forward to knowing her. But it's bizarre...let's be honest about it, you've got to have time to process it.'

At one point, Kathie recalled confronting the 59-year-old momager about how much she really knew about her husband's closeted inner-turmoil.

'The last lunch we had before it was announced, I was like, "Kris, what is all this talk about Bruce transitioning to be a woman?"' the NBC News correspondent recalled while wearing a Clara Sunwoo dress. 

'And I think she was dealing with it on such a personal level that she said to me, "They've been saying that for years." That was her answer. She didn't deny it. I don't know when she knew, but for whatever reason she wasn't able to talk about it.' 

Gifford explained: 'I don't have gaydar at all, so I'm certainly not going to have transgender-dar. I just don't. People are people to me'

Gifford explained: 'I don't have gaydar at all, so I'm certainly not going to have transgender-dar. I just don't. People are people to me'

She added: 'I think it's much easier for people to get used to it who don't know her as a person. And I don't know her. I look forward to knowing her'

She added: 'I think it's much easier for people to get used to it who don't know her as a person. And I don't know her. I look forward to knowing her'

'She wasn't able to talk about it': At one point, Kathie recalled confronting the 59-year-old momager about how much she really knew about her husband's closeted inner-turmoil (pictured July 7)

'She wasn't able to talk about it': At one point, Kathie recalled confronting the 59-year-old momager about how much she really knew about her husband's closeted inner-turmoil (pictured July 7)

It felt like a 'lie' to Kris: Gifford said the Keeping Up with the Kardashian matriarch was definitely in love with the two-time Olympic gold medalist during their 23-year marriage (pictured in 2008)

It felt like a 'lie' to Kris: Gifford said the Keeping Up with the Kardashian matriarch was definitely in love with the two-time Olympic gold medalist during their 23-year marriage (pictured in 2008)

Gifford said the Keeping Up with the Kardashian matriarch was definitely in love with the two-time Olympic gold medalist during their 23-year marriage, and that there was never trouble in the bedroom.

'Even she says that [their sex life] was always good. And if its not showing up in the bedroom...,' the Paris-born presenter said trailing off.

'Kris said, "It all just feels like a lie to me," her whole life with Bruce. So it's a lot for people to digest, and I think they're trying really hard to and they're trying to be loving. Bruce was one of the most loving, adorable, sweetest guys in the world. That is all still there in Caitlyn.'

Jenner's eight-episode docuseries I Am Cait - chronicling her life as a transgender woman - premieres July 26 on E!

The Carnival Cruise spokesmodel was joined on the boozy Bravo talk show by her Today co-host, Hoda Kotb, who revealed on 'Shush You Lush' that Kathie is not a fan of marijuana or pornographic movies.

'Even Kris says that [their sex life] was always good': The Paris-born presenter said they weren't aware since there was never trouble in the bedroom

'Even Kris says that [their sex life] was always good': The Paris-born presenter said they weren't aware since there was never trouble in the bedroom

Kathie added: 'I think [the entire Kardashian-Jenner family] trying really hard to be loving. Bruce was one of the most loving, adorable, sweetest guys in the world. That is all still there in Caitlyn'

Kathie added: 'I think [the entire Kardashian-Jenner family] trying really hard to be loving. Bruce was one of the most loving, adorable, sweetest guys in the world. That is all still there in Caitlyn'

10 more days! Jenner's eight-episode docuseries I Am Cait - chronicling her life as a transgender woman - premieres July 26 on E!

10 more days! Jenner's eight-episode docuseries I Am Cait - chronicling her life as a transgender woman - premieres July 26 on E!

Leo ladies: The Carnival Cruise spokesmodel was joined on the boozy Bravo talk show by her Today co-host, Hoda Kotb, who revealed on 'Shush You Lush' that Kathie is not a fan of marijuana or porn

Leo ladies: The Carnival Cruise spokesmodel was joined on the boozy Bravo talk show by her Today co-host, Hoda Kotb, who revealed on 'Shush You Lush' that Kathie is not a fan of marijuana or porn

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