Leeza Gibbons - Take 2

My star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1997)! Talk about surreal.... My little Nathan was brand-new. My sweet mom was already showing signs of Alzheimers disease, but we thought she was just drinking too much. My sister, Cammy, covered for her.

With Mom and Dad on Golden Pond (2002). Thats what they call their little lake cottage. I remember holding on tight to Mom, who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers and was emerging as a proud advocate.

A kiss for luck (1988). One of my favorite pictures of Mom, during one of our many hellos and good-byes. We traveled everywhere together and loved exploring new places.

All smiles in South Carolina (2012). Here I am with my sister, Cammy; my sister-in-law, Anne Marie; and my brother, Carl. No one makes me laugh more than they do. Typically when we get together, we break into song followed by balancing spoons on our nosesdont ask!

My 50th birthday in Hollywood (2007). What a goddess moment it was. I was still in the competition on Dancing with the Stars, but that night, my favorite dance was when all of my kidsTroy, Lexi, and Nathanjoined me on the dance floor to celebrate our blessings. (I dont know how Lexi got that tiara away from me!)

photo by Christian Scott

Wedding bliss in Beverly Hills (2011). Look at these smileswe were soooo happy. Lexi and Troy got ordained as ministers so they could perform our marriage ceremony, while Nate handled the rings. Pretty cool, huh? There were no other guests other than the kids, Steven, and me. We picked flowers from our yard, and Lexi sang, Bless the Broken Road.

photo by Christian Scott

A matrimonial hug (2011). Steven and I consider our union to be evidence that miracles really do happen. He is the best plot twist of my second act!

Cowboys Stadium in Dallas (2010). My Cowboys-obsessed Steven could hardly keep it together when I surprised him with tickets to join Roger and Mary Ann Staubach in their suite for the game. They are now used to our over-the-top excitement! I used to live in Dallas, and I still love it there.

Times Square (2008). I was shooting for my makeup line, Sheer Cover, but clearly I was not in a New York state of mind! The city is a mixed bag for me, since my show Two on the Town was canceled when I worked at WCBS, and I had to sell my cool brownstone on West 57th... but then again, thats how I ended up in L.A. working for Entertainment Tonight!

Just Shoot Me! (2002). Remember that TV show? This was my cover shot for the fictitious Blush magazine. I remember Dean, Keith, and Julie (my friends and fabulous glam squad) getting me ready, and I kept thinking I was so fat! I have given up that kind of obsessing, thank God.

Stevens 40th birthday (2010)! I surprised him, and we had the best time. No one was happier than I was to have him finally hit the big 4-0! (He was 38 when we started dating.) Or as my son Nathan put it at the time, Youre finally eligible to date my mom!

At home in Hollywood, with Maria (1995). This woman is my lifeline. Technically, she is my housekeeper, but in reality, she is my surrogate mother and my soulkeeper. Maria and I have been through it all together and come out smiling and stronger on the other side. There is no one I respect more. I love this lady.

Near Shimla, India (2008). I took my daughter on a graduation trip to India, and brought my sister along, too! Thanks to our dear friend who set everything up for us, we had the most amazing journey, including this rafting adventure near the Himalayas. I had some of the best meals of my life on that trip!

photo courtesy of Getty Images

A tango with Tony (2007). Here I am on Season 4 of Dancing with the Starsthis was before it became like an extreme-sports competition! I swear it was like therapy, boot camp, and worshipping all in one! I still have a not-so-secret dream to ballroom dance with Steven. He promised me for our anniversary.... I think hell look good in a red sequined jacket, dont you?

photo by Mary Ann Halpin Photography

Mothers Day (2006). Every year I tell the kids that what I want for Mothers Day and Christmas is for them to just brush their hair and take a picture with me! Second choice is for them to write me something by hand, so usually the photo wins out. They may look all angelic in this shot, but trust me, it was preceded by lots of resistance! On Christmas, I make them all dress in the same pajamas... just imagine the eye rolling that goes with that! I treasure these photos (and secretly, I think they love them, too).

Production behind the scenes, West Hollywood (2010). On this day, I think we were shooting something for HSN. The first time I remember reporting for the camera was in sixth grade. I was doing a mock report of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in my Cronker Walkite persona (Walter Cronkite was my hero!). Ive been at it a looooong time!

ALSO BY LEEZA GIBBONS

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