Kathie Lee Gifford is opening up about her journey of forgiveness involving one of Hollywood’s most prominent voices. The former Today co-host, for the first time, addressed her longtime feud with broadcaster Howard Stern. Gifford, while promoting her new book, recalled how the media personality sought her forgiveness after offending her decades ago. However, while it felt good to receive an apology, it wasn’t completely what the journalist would have liked.
Gifford discussed the feud while chatting with Fox News, explaining how her faith activated the power of forgiveness in Stern’s case. She recalled that it went down in 2012 when the radio host appeared on the Today Show to promote a gig.
“He left a voicemail, and he says – I can’t even use the language that he used. 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 Gifford
A staunch Christian, Gifford didn’t seem to appreciate the use of cuss words, but that didn’t distract her from wholeheartedly accepting Stern’s apology.
Kathie Lee Gifford Prayed For ‘Enemy’ Howard Stern For Years
After listening to the voicemail, Gifford later received a call from Stern in which he asked for forgiveness. “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,'” The Baxters star recalled. “‘But I just want you to know that I forgave you 30 years ago.'” Stern was reportedly shocked by her gracious nature and invited her to dinner. Since then, they have been good friends.
As for what inspired her to forgive Stern, Gifford told the publication, “I just always believe God can touch anybody’s heart…Once you start praying for people, you can’t hate them.” Stern and Gifford’s troubles date back to 1995 when she performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl XXIX. The media personality wrote in her book that she heard booing during her rendition. She later found out that Stern was behind it as he asked his fans to boo her.
Gifford was particularly hurt because she had never interacted with Stern before then. However, all that drama is now over.
