In November 2014, Greg Gutfeld, the quick-witted host of Fox News’ Gutfeld! and The Five, was riding high as a rising star in late-night television. But behind the scenes, he was planning something far more personal—a surprise gift for his wife, Elena Moussa, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. The couple, who met in 2004 at a Maxim conference and married five months later in New York, had built a life filled with love, laughter, and mutual support. Gutfeld’s gift, revealed in a heartfelt moment that captivated fans and colleagues in December 2014, was a testament to their enduring bond. Described as a “surprise the whole world is waiting for,” it blended Gutfeld’s humor with a deep devotion that left everyone—from Gutfeld! panelists Kat Timpf and Tyrus to viewers on X—in awe.
The buzz around the gift began weeks earlier, when Gutfeld hinted at a “big surprise” for Elena during a Red Eye episode, the irreverent show he hosted from 2007 to 2015. “Elena’s put up with me for a decade, so I owe her something epic,” he quipped, sparking speculation among fans. Known for his satirical edge, Gutfeld was tight-lipped, only sharing that the gift was “personal, not flashy.” His Red Eye co-stars, including Tyrus (then a frequent guest) and occasional fill-in Kat Timpf, teased him relentlessly. Tyrus joked, “Greg, you better not get her a vacuum cleaner—she’ll use it on you,” while Timpf, in her libertarian deadpan, said, “If it’s not a lifetime supply of coffee, you’re doing it wrong.” Fans on Twitter (now X) chimed in, with one posting, “Greg’s planning a 10-year anniversary gift for Elena? Bet it’s gonna be hilarious and sweet!”
Gutfeld and Elena’s love story set the stage for the anticipation. They met in Vilamoura, Portugal, when Gutfeld, then 40 and editor-in-chief of Maxim UK, spotted Elena, 22, a photo editor for Maxim Russia. He pursued her with handwritten notes, and after a whirlwind romance, they tied the knot in a quiet New York ceremony in 2004. By 2014, they were living in a $2.5 million Manhattan condo, with Elena building her fashion career and Gutfeld transitioning from Red Eye to The Five. Their life was punctuated by their French bulldog, Gus, whom Gutfeld called “our practice kid,” and trips to their upstate New York cabin. Gutfeld often praised Elena’s wit and resilience, joking on air, “She’s the only one who can out-snark me and still make me breakfast.”
The gift reveal came during a special Red Eye episode on December 10, 2014, timed to their anniversary. Gutfeld, usually the king of snark, opened with a rare earnest moment: “Ten years ago, I married the smartest, funniest woman I know. Elena, this is for you.” He unveiled a custom-designed photo album, handcrafted in leather and embossed with “Greg & Elena, 2004-2014.” Inside were mementos from their decade together—photos from their Portugal meeting, their wedding, and candid moments like Elena laughing at Gutfeld’s failed attempt to cook borscht. Each page included handwritten notes from Gutfeld, blending humor (“You’re still hotter than my bad monologues”) with love (“You make every day better than the last”).
The album was paired with a second surprise: a private vow renewal ceremony planned for their upstate cabin, complete with a string quartet and a menu of Elena’s favorite Russian dishes. Gutfeld had enlisted Elena’s friends and family, including her Moscow-based parents, to attend in secret. “She thinks we’re just going for a weekend getaway,” he said, grinning. “She’s gonna kill me when she sees her mom there.” The Red Eye audience erupted, and Tyrus, on set, gave a rare nod of approval: “Man, you nailed it. Elena’s gonna cry, and I might too.” Timpf, fighting tears, added, “Greg, this is so sweet, I almost forgive you for your terrible puns.” The segment trended on Twitter, with 800,000 views and posts like, “Greg’s gift for Elena is peak romance. That album’s a treasure!”
Gutfeld’s stories about Elena added depth to the reveal. He shared how she’d supported him through Red Eye’s grueling 3 a.m. tapings, often waiting up with coffee and Gus. “I’d come home, ranting about a bad show, and she’d just say, ‘You’re still on TV, dummy,’” he laughed. He recounted their first anniversary, when he tried to surprise Elena with a homemade cake that “looked like a crime scene.” Elena, unfazed, ate it and declared it “charmingly terrible.” Another tale involved Gus stealing Elena’s slippers during a snowy upstate weekend, leading to a chase that ended in laughter by the fireplace. Fans on Twitter gushed, “Greg and Elena’s stories are couple goals. That gift is so them—funny and heartfelt.”
The vow renewal, held the following weekend, was a private affair, but Gutfeld shared snippets on Red Eye later. Elena, stunned to see her parents, cried as Gutfeld read new vows: “I’d choose you every day, even if you keep stealing the blankets.” Elena, in a custom dress she designed, teased, “Ten years, and you still can’t cook.” The quartet played their wedding song, and Gus, wearing a tiny bowtie, served as “ring bearer.” Photos leaked on Twitter, with fans writing, “Greg and Elena’s vow renewal? I’m sobbing. Gus stole the show!” Another posted, “That album and ceremony are why Greg’s the best. Elena’s a lucky woman.”
The gift’s impact rippled beyond the couple. Timpf, who’d joined Red Eye as a contributor, called it “the gold standard for anniversary gifts” on her podcast Sincerely, Kat, joking, “I’m sending this clip to my boyfriend as a hint.” Tyrus told The Five co-host Dana Perino, “Greg’s a clown, but he’s got heart. That album’s gonna outlast his bad jokes.” Red Eye’s ratings spiked to 1.2 million for the reveal episode, and The Five colleagues like Perino and Jesse Watters sent the couple gifts—a custom coffee mug from Perino, a gag “World’s Okayest Husband” plaque from Watters. On Twitter, a fan summed it up: “Greg’s gift for Elena shows what love looks like after 10 years. Here’s to 10 more!”
Gutfeld’s 2014 was a career high, with Red Eye paving the way for Gutfeld!’s 2021 launch, but the anniversary gift was his proudest moment. At 50, he was a media maverick; with Elena, he was just a man in love. The album, now a cherished keepsake in their $10.5 million SoHo loft (bought in 2024), sits alongside Gus’s toys and memories of their life. Gutfeld’s stories—of Elena’s strength, their shared laughter, and even his cooking fails—painted a vivid picture of a marriage built on trust and humor. As fans await more glimpses of their life (now with kids Mira and Leo in 2025), the 10th anniversary gift remains a reminder: for Greg and Elena, love is the ultimate punchline, delivered with heart.
