Alright, folks, let’s dive into this incredible story. Kathie Lee Gifford, the beloved TV personality, recently revealed how her unwavering faith led her to call a truce with none other than Howard Stern after a 16-year feud. Now, if you're thinking, "What feud?"—you're not alone. Fans are buzzing, wanting to know how this whole thing started and, more importantly, how these two powerhouse personalities managed to make peace. So, let's break it down, shall we?

So, How Did This Feud Between Kathie Lee Gifford and Howard Stern Even Start?

In her deeply personal memoir, I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste, published in April 2024, Kathie Lee shared a pivotal moment that ignited the feud. Back in 1995, she was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, while her husband, the legendary NFL star Frank Gifford, was hosting the live telecast. Picture this: she’s on the biggest stage in sports, belting out the anthem, and suddenly, she hears it—boos from the crowd. If that’s not surreal enough, she later discovered that Howard Stern, the infamous shock jock, had encouraged his listeners to taunt her.

Now, here's the kicker: Kathie Lee had never met Howard Stern. She didn’t even listen to his show. Yet, she found herself at the center of a prank orchestrated by someone she barely knew. She called the experience "completely surreal," emphasizing how unexpected and bizarre the whole situation was. It’s moments like these that make you wonder, "Why do people do what they do?"

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How Did Kathie Lee Gifford Finally End the 16-Year Feud with Howard Stern?

Fast forward to 2011. Howard Stern made a splash by announcing he would be joining America’s Got Talent (AGT) on Today. Kathie Lee, who was hosting the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb at the time, decided to take a bold step. She credits her faith for guiding her decision to extend an olive branch. "The Lord… said, ‘Kathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show,’” Kathie Lee recalled in a May 28, 2024, interview with Fox News. “And I said, ‘OK Lord.’"

Now, picture this: she’s in her hair and makeup room, and the girls are trying to keep her away from the studio. But Kathie Lee, driven by a higher calling, brushes them off. She heads downstairs, walks right up to Howard, and says, “Hey, it’s Kathie Lee. I thought it was about time. I want to wish you all the best with the new show.” And with that, she turned around, walked back to the makeup room, and let the universe do its thing. She knew she had done what she was supposed to do.

Kathie Lee Giffords Feud With Howard Stern Why She Forgave Him — Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

How Did Howard Stern Apologize to Kathie Lee Gifford?

Later that day, Kathie Lee got a call that would change the narrative. It was a no-caller ID number, and she just knew it was Howard. Her husband and son were hesitant, given Howard’s past behavior. But Kathie Lee trusted her instincts. "He was horrible to me and horrendous to my entire family," she admitted. "I'd never met the man, never listened to his show, and yet he had this vendetta against me."

When she answered, it turned out to be Howard. "He left a voicemail, and he says—I can’t even use the language that he used," Kathie Lee recounted. "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.’"

Kathie Lee didn’t return the call immediately but eventually had a private conversation with Howard. During their talk, Howard asked for her forgiveness. She responded, "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." It was a powerful moment of closure for both of them.

Where Do Kathie Lee Gifford and Howard Stern Stand Today?

So, what’s the status of their relationship now? Kathie Lee describes Howard as "a very odd duck," but adds, "But then I saw him a couple of times over at Sirius, and we were fine. I can get along with a rock," she joked. It seems that while they may not be best friends, they’ve reached a place of mutual respect and understanding. And isn’t that what life’s all about—finding peace and moving forward?