There were plenty of hugs and lots of smiles Wednesday as former television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck visited The Villages.
Hasselbeck, a former cohost of both “Fox & Friends” and “The View,” made a stop at Barnes & Noble in The Villages on Wednesday afternoon to sign copies of her new book titled “Point of View: A Fresh Look at Work, Faith, and Freedom.”
The book was released last week and Hasselbeck was coming off an intensive time in New York promoting the memoir, which included stops on both of her former TV shows.
“Point of View” addresses everything from getting her start in television on the popular show “Survivor” to being replaced on “The View” in 2013 after 10 years to working with the “Fox & Friends” cast. And she talks about her faith and following the path God set in front of her, including her newest and most important role, “Chief Breakfast Officer” for her three children.
The book also takes readers on a journey through Hasselbeck’s two decades in broadcasting and talks about the importance of being able to see issues through other peoples’ eyes and then being able to understand their perspective on different topics.
On Wednesday, Villagers waiting in line were thrilled to spend time with the constantly smiling Hasselbeck, whose husband Tim and brother-in-law, Matt, are both retired NFL quarterbacks and ESPN analysts.
“I’ve watched her from the beginning,” said Karen Pizzarello, of the Village of Caroline, who was first in line to get her book signed. “She’s just a nice person, you can tell.”
Scott Ruiz, of the Village of Glenbrook, was excited after Hasselbeck signed his book and copies of three photos of her he had printed out.
“I got her autograph and she signed every one of them,” he said. “It was great. She’s a great, pleasant lady. I was a little nervous but it was very cool to meet her.”
Jane Willard, of Fruitland Park, agreed.
“I was most anxious to meet her, she’s a sweet person,” she said moments after getting her copy of Hasselbeck’s book signed. “I like her ideas and her policies. She’s so sweet and I’m impressed.”
Jeanne Williams, of the Village of Charlotte, said she’s been following Hasselbeck’s career for many years.
“I love her,” she said. “I just like her faith, her family – everything about her.”
Shortly after signing a book for the last person in line, Hasselbeck said she’s quickly become a fan of The Villages.
“This is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever been in my life,” she said. “I’m now going to search for my goal location here down the road. It’s been so sweet and so kind, and honestly, truly encouraging.”
Hasselbeck said she’d heard plenty of great things about The Villages during her two years on “Fox & Friends” from cohosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade and other Fox News personalities who had held book-signing events in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
“They absolutely loved it,” she said. “Any time someone would have a book tour, they’d say, ‘I’m going to The Villages.’”
In fact, Hasselbeck said, The Villages was mentioned around the set of Fox News quite often.
“I was like, ‘When do I get to go to The Villages?’” she said with a chuckle. “Well, my time has come.”
Hasselbeck, who is famous among conservative circles for her heated exchanges with liberals Barbara Walters, Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg during her 10-run on “The View,” said those who attended Wednesday’s event were “so sweet and kind” and had plenty of positive things to say to her, which she thoroughly appreciated.
“One of the most impactful things that I heard was that they had been praying along the way for me,” she said. “I think having been in the throes of some pretty heated conversations at times and 10 years long at ‘The View,’ for as many people as you affect with your words when you try to do your best and be mindful with it, really my goal is to always honor God with them. And you need exponentially more prayers, so I really appreciate that.”
Hasselbeck said she’s also met many fans of her husband, Tim, who played for Boston College and seven NFL teams and currently serves as a football analyst and cohost of “Fantasy Football Now” on ESPN and ESPN2.
“I oftentimes hear, ‘Your husband helped me win my fantasy football league.’ Or once in a while, the opposite,” she said with a laugh. “But I think his picks are usually good.”
In addition to Hasselbeck, Doocy and Kilmeade, other high-profile authors who have visited the Lake Sumter Landing Barnes & Noble include former New Jersey governor and Trump campaign adviser Chris Christie; Hall of Fame NFL coach Tony Dungy; U.S. Rep Steve Scalise; popular Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson; former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer; Fox News personality Greg Gutfeld; former presidential hopeful Ben Carson; TV personality Greta Van Susteren; political commentator Glenn Beck; and Fox News’ Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier, whose aunt, Kathy Scarito, who lives in the Village of Sunset Pointe.
