Kathie Lee Gifford Reveals Surprising Apology from Howard Stern After Decades-Long Feud

Emmy-winning TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford shares in her new book how a phone call from notorious shock jock Howard Stern led to an unexpected apology and the end of a decades-long feud.

Emmy-winning television personality Kathie Lee Gifford has unveiled a surprising chapter in her life in her new book, "I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste." In it, she details how a phone call from longtime nemesis Howard Stern led to an apology and the end of a decades-long feud.

Gifford and Stern had been engaged in a heated rivalry since 1995, when Stern allegedly encouraged his fans to boo Gifford during her performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXIX. However, everything changed years later when Gifford, acting on a divine prompting, approached Stern at the "Today" show.

"The Lord... said, ‘Kathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show,'" Gifford recalls in her book. "And I said, ‘OK Lord.’"

Despite resistance from her team, Gifford approached Stern and offered her well wishes for his upcoming stint on "America's Got Talent." Later that day, as Gifford was on a plane to her son's graduation, she received a surprising phone call.

"He left a voicemail, and he says – I can’t even use the language that he used," Gifford writes. "It was a lot of F-words, but he was saying, ‘I can’t believe how nice you were to me. I’ve been so rude to you and you were so nice. I just need to apologize to you. Please call me.’"

Initially hesitant, Gifford eventually connected with Stern and engaged in a private conversation where he expressed his remorse.

"I said, ‘I’m really happy for you that you’re asking for forgiveness, because anytime we hurt somebody in life, it’s important to ask for forgiveness,’" Gifford explains. "’But I just want you to know that I forgave you 30 years ago.’ He goes, ‘What?’ I said, ‘I forgave you 30 years ago, and I’ve been praying for you every day since."

Stern's apology took Gifford aback, and she extended an invitation to dinner. According to her account, Stern was taken aback by her willingness to forgive and reconcile.

"He’s a very odd duck," Gifford says of Stern. "But then I saw him a couple of times over at Sirius, and we were fine. I can get along with a rock."

Gifford attributes her ability to forgive Stern to her faith in God. She believes that forgiveness is a powerful force that frees individuals from the burden of anger and resentment.

"I can find something good in anybody," Gifford says. "That’s what my faith teaches me."

Today, Gifford holds no ill will towards Stern and continues to pray for him daily. She believes that their reconciliation is a testament to the power of forgiveness and that it can heal even the most bitter feuds.