Kathie Lee Gifford reveals shocking origins of her explosive feud with Howard Stern

Kathie Lee Gifford has recounted the end of her decades-long feud with Howard Stern in her new memoir, "I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste." The reconciliation began with an unexpected voicemail from Stern, in which he apologized for his past behavior. 

Gifford described her surprise at receiving the message in an interview with Fox News Digital. "It was a surprise to get a voicemail from Howard Stern," Gifford, 70, said. "Once I listened to it, I said to my kids at the table, 'Well, pigs have now officially flown.'" She emphasized her belief in forgiveness, stating, "I just always believe God can touch anybody's heart ... I'm not allowed to hate anybody that hates me."

The feud between Gifford and Stern originated in 1995 when Gifford was chosen to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXIX. According to Gifford, she heard booing during her performance and later learned that Stern had allegedly encouraged his listeners to boo her.

Years later, when Stern appeared as a guest on "Today," Gifford said she felt compelled to reach out to him warmly. "The Lord… said, 'Kathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show.' And I said, 'OK Lord,'" Gifford recalled. 

She approached Stern to wish him well, despite warnings from her colleagues. Later that day, she received a voicemail from Stern, who apologized profusely. Gifford did not return the call immediately but answered when he called again. Stern asked for her forgiveness, to which Gifford replied, "I forgave you 30 years ago, and I’ve been praying for you every day since."

The reconciliation continued with Gifford inviting Stern to dinner. She described Stern as "a very odd duck" but noted that their interactions have since been amicable.

Gifford also delves into the theme of forgiveness in other aspects of her life in her memoir. She discusses forgiving her late husband, Frank Gifford, for his infidelity, which was publicly revealed in 1997.

Despite the painful period, Gifford credited her faith with helping her persevere. "When you have faith in something as strong as we do, and we're grateful for it, you have hope," she told USA TODAY.

Frank Gifford, a former NFL player and sportscaster, passed away in 2015 from natural causes. He and Kathie Lee Gifford were married in 1986 and had two children together.

Gifford's experiences and reflections on forgiveness are explored extensively in her new book, which aims to convey the importance of second chances and faith.