Leeza Gibbons, the 67-year-old former co-host of the Rose Bowl Parade, enjoyed a prominent 30-year career in network television. From 1984 to 2000, she graced screens as a correspondent and co-host of Entertainment Tonight and helmed her own successful daytime talk show, Leeza. Concurrently, she achieved remarkable success in the infomercial world, partnering with Guthy-Renker.
However, in 2002, Gibbons shifted her focus to a deeply personal cause: supporting Alzheimer’s caregivers. Inspired by the experiences of her mother and grandmother, both of whom succumbed to the disease, she founded Leeza’s Care Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and fostering a sense of community among caregivers.
Gibbons describes this endeavor as her “greatest work,” emphasizing the profound impact of providing a platform for caregivers to share their stories and connect with others facing similar challenges. “You can’t heal it if you don’t reveal it,” she emphasizes, highlighting the power of shared experiences and mutual support in navigating the complexities of caregiving. This new path, she says, allows for creativity, dynamism, and a profound connection to the core of human compassion.
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Despite her passion for her nonprofit work, Gibbons admits to missing the television industry. She clarifies that she hasn’t retired and is currently involved in developing new TV projects. She also continues to host the annual Rose Parade, a testament to her enduring connection to the world of broadcasting.
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Reflecting on her illustrious career, Gibbons expresses deep gratitude for the journey, acknowledging the joy and fulfillment it brought. However, she consciously chose to embrace her “real calling” by dedicating herself to her nonprofit.
Married to talent manager and author Steven Fenton since 2011, and a mother of three, Gibbons embraces this “third act” of her life with a sense of purpose and clarity. She describes her current lifestyle as “downshifting,” emphasizing a shift in priorities rather than a complete withdrawal from professional life. This change, she explains, has brought a newfound focus and a deeper understanding of her goals.
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Gibbons views life as a three-stage journey: growth and learning, acquisition and achievement, and finally, celebration, reflection, and receiving. She acknowledges her unwavering optimism, attributing it to a belief in the cyclical nature of happiness and the eventual attainment of peace in later life.
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Unfazed by aging, Gibbons prioritizes inner well-being over outward appearances. While she serves as an ambassador for Crepe Erase for Guthy-Renker, her focus remains on the richness of life experiences. She measures a person’s worth not by age, but by the depth and breadth of their life’s journey.
