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Kathie Lee Gifford was stunned when Howard Stern called to apologize.
The former”Today”co-anchor has written a new book titled“I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste.”It explores the power of self-love and features self-reflecting questions for readersto better understand their hopes and dreams.
In the book, she discussed the power of forgiveness – and how it ended a decades-long feud with the notorious shock jock.
Kathie Lee Gifford and Howard Stern had a feud that lasted for decades. (Getty Images)
“It was a surprise to get a voicemail from Howard Stern,”the 70-year-old recalled to Fox News Digital.”Once I listened to it, I said to my kids at the table,‘Well, pigs have now officially flown. . . . [But] I just always believe God can touchanybody’sheart . . .I’mnot allowed to hate anybody that hates me. Once you start praying for people, youcan’thate them. Love cannot live where hate does, andit’sa very simplething.”
“As you grow in your faith, you learn,‘I’ve got to pray for that person right now. What they just said was so horrible,’”said Gifford.”Just pray. Ask God to heal them, becausehurtpeople, hurt people.It’sthe truth.”
Kathie Lee Gifford smiles prior to singing the national anthem before Super Bowl XXIX between the San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the game, 49-26. (Getty Images)
The bad blood first boiled in 1995 afterGifford had been chosento sing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXIX. Her husband, NFL star Frank Gifford, wouldbe hosting the live telecast. According to the book, Gifford heard booing as she sang”The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Kathie Lee Gifford is seen here singing the national anthem. (Mike Powell/ALLSPORT/Getty Images)
Gifford soon learned that Stern had asked his fans to boo Gifford when shewas introducedon stage. Gifford described the experience as”completely surreal”as she had never met Stern nor listened to his radio show.
But everything would change years later when Stern was a guest on”Today”to announce he was joining the judging panel at”America’sGot Talent.”
Thirty years later, Kathie Lee Gifford would make a decision that left Howard Stern stunned. (Dario Cantatore/Getty Images)
“The Lord… said,‘Kathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show,’”said Gifford.”And I said,‘OKLord.’I got up out of my hair and makeup [room]. Those girls hadbeen told,‘Don’tlet Kathie go anywhere near the studio.’…Icouldn’tcare less. I go downstairs. They go,‘Where are you going?’I said,‘I’mgoing to go say hello to Howard.’”
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Howard Stern is seen here in New York City, circa 1995. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
WATCH: KATHIE LEE GIFFORD SAYS HOWARD STERN ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS AFTER DECADES-LONG FEUD
Video“He’svery,very tall, and I was in my little flats coming in from Connecticut,”said Gifford.”. . . There were so many people that day because he bringsquite theentourage . . . I said,‘Hey,it’sKathie Lee.’I thought it was about time. I said,‘Iwant towish you all the best with the new show.’I got up, went back, sat down in the makeup room.They’dsaid,‘Why’dyou do that?’ I said,‘God told me to.’”
Gifford thought nothing more about that meeting. Later that day, shewas hoppingon a plane to attend herson’sgraduation at USC. She received a phone call. There was no caller ID.
It was Stern.
Kathie Lee Gifford said Howard Stern called to apologize. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
“He left a voicemail, andhesays – Ican’teven use the language that he used,”said Gifford.”It was a lot of F-words, but hewas saying,‘Ican’tbelieve how nice you were to me.I’vebeen so rude to youandyou were so nice. I just need to apologize to you. Please call me.’”
Not knowing how to reach Stern back, Gifforddidn’treturn his call.
Kathie Lee Gifford has written a new book, “I Want to Matter.” (Thomas Nelson)
“We’rehaving dinner, and I see the no-caller ID,”said Gifford.”I said,‘That’shim.’My husband and son did not want me to take that call. He was horrible to me and horrendous to my entire family …I’dnever met the man, neveruntil that day, never listened to his show or anything like that.I [heard] he said certain things about me.I’dgo,‘Why? Idon’teven know the man.’”
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Kathie Lee Gifford said that at first, her husband Frank Gifford didn’t want her to speak with Howard Stern. (Harold Cook/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Gifford said she had a private conversation with Stern where he “asked me to forgive him.”
Kathie Lee Gifford was surprised when Howard Stern asked for her forgiveness. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
“Isaid,‘I’mreally happy for you thatyou’reasking for forgiveness, because anytime we hurt somebody in life,it’simportant to ask for forgiveness,’”she said.”’But Ijustwant you to knowthat Iforgave you 30 years ago.’He goes,‘What?’I said,‘I forgave you 30 years ago, andI’vebeen praying for you every day since. Andit’sthe truth. He goes,‘Oh my God.’I said,‘Would you like to come to dinner sometime?’He goes,‘You’dhave me at your house?’I said,‘Of course.’”
Kathie Lee Gifford told Fox News Digital she still prays for Howard Stern every day. (Janette Pellegrini/WireImage/Getty Images)
“He’sa very odd duck,”said Gifford.”But then I saw hima couple oftimes over at Sirius,andwe were fine. I can get along with a rock.”
Gifford said her faith in God made it”easy”to forgive Stern. According to her book, Stern told Gifford she”pissed him off because I was everything hewasn’t.”
A spokesperson for Stern, 70,didn’timmediately respond to Fox NewsDigital’srequest for comment.
Today, there are no hard feelings,Giffordinsisted. She still prays for him every day.
Kathie Lee Gifford told Fox News Digital that her faith made it easy to forgive. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
“Ican find something good in anybody,”said Gifford.”That’swhat my faith teaches me.”
Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.
