'Caught Me Off Guard': Kathie Lee Gifford Reveals How Howard Stern Apologized After Their Reported Feud

In an interview, anchor Kathie Lee Gifford revealed how Howard Stern called her to apologise after their feud.

By Marita Pinto

Updated on May 28, 2024 | 07:46 PM IST | 80.6K

Image Courtesy: Instagram/ Kathie Lee

Howard Stern called to apologize, leaving Kathie Lee Gifford. 'In I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste,' the former Today co-anchor writes about self-reflective questions to help readers better understand their goals and aspirations and delves into the power of self-love.

Kathie Lee recalls receiving a voicemail from Howard Stern

The 70-year-old recalled to Fox News Digital saying, "Receiving a voicemail from Howard Stern caught me off guard. Well, pigs have officially flown now that I've listened to it, but I just always think God can touch anybody's heart," I stated to my kids at the table. I have no right to dislike someone who hates me. You cannot hate someone once you begin to pray for them. It's really simple: hate cannot exist where love does."

"As your faith deepens, you come to realize that you must pray for that individual right now. "What they just said was absolutely awful," Gifford exclaimed. "Just offer up a prayer. Because wounded individuals are still wounded, pray to God to heal them. It is verifiable."

How the feud began

The bad blood began in 1995 when Gifford was selected to perform the national anthem during Super Bowl XXIX. Frank Gifford, an NFL player, who is her spouse, was presenting the live broadcast. The book claims that Gifford heard boos when she was singing The Star-Spangled Banner.

Before long, Gifford found out that Stern had asked his audience to boo her when she took the stage. Having never met Stern or listened to his radio show, Gifford called the experience completely surreal". Years later, though, things would change when Stern appeared as a guest on Today to announce that he would be joining the America's Got Talent judging panel.

Thirty years on, Kathie Lee Gifford would surprise Howard Stern with a decision. Gifford said, "The Lord… said, ‘Kathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show. And I said, ‘OK Lord.’ I got up out of my hair and makeup [room]. Those girls had been told, ‘Don’t let Kathie go anywhere near the studio.’… I couldn’t care less. I go downstairs. They go, ‘Where are you going?’ I said, ‘I’m going to go say hello to Howard."

Gifford didn't give that encounter any more thought. She was on a plane later that day to attend her son's USC graduation. There was a call for her and it was Sterm who called to apologize. When Howard Stern pleaded with Kathie Lee Gifford for her forgiveness, she was taken aback.

She said, "I told you that I was extremely glad that you were asking for forgiveness since it's crucial to do so whenever we damage someone in life. However, I only want you to know that thirty years ago, I did forgive you. "What?" he asks. I said, 'I've been praying for you every day since I forgave you thirty years ago. It's also the reality. He exclaims, "Oh my God." "Would you like to come to dinner sometime?" I said. "You'd have me at your house?" he asks. I responded, "Obviously."According to Fox News Digital, Kathie Lee Gifford continues to offer up daily prayers for Howard Stern.

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