AceShowbiz - Kathie Lee Gifford, the beloved former "Today" anchor, has opened up about the devastating betrayal she experienced when her late husband, Frank Gifford, was unfaithful. In her new book, "I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste", Gifford reveals the profound impact her husband's infidelity had on her life.

"My faith was definitely tested the most during the whole year dealing with Frank's infidelity," Gifford told Entertainment Tonight. She had believed she had finally found her soulmate, and the revelation of his affair shattered her world.

Despite the pain, Gifford made a conscious decision to choose forgiveness. "I could have let the seed germinate but I don't want to be that person," she explained. "I have always felt from my earliest youth that I had the choice every day of my life to be a blessing or a burden."

Gifford's commitment to forgiveness stemmed from lessons she had learned from a previous marriage that had also ended in betrayal. "You don't hold on, don't wait to forgive… you're only hurting yourself," she emphasized.

Gifford's decision to forgive Frank was not without its challenges. She faced years of "very painful" memories and struggled to reconcile the love she felt for her children with the hurt her husband had caused. However, through her faith and the support of her loved ones, she found the strength to move forward.

Gifford's journey has inspired countless others facing marital difficulties. People have shared with her how her experience has given them hope and encouragement. "It feeds the soul to purge the negativity and not dwell on situations in the past," she said.

In addition to sharing her thoughts on forgiveness, Gifford also opened up about her departure from her long-running talk shows, "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" and "Kathie Lee and Hoda." She explained that her decisions were guided by deep prayer and intuition.

Gifford's resilience and positivity continue to shine through in her life. Despite the hardships she has faced, she remains committed to making a difference in the world. "I want to be a blessing," she said. "We all make our choices, but I can live with the choices I have made if I have truly experienced a deep and abiding forgiveness."

Gifford's story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of choosing positivity, even in the face of adversity.