Howard Stern, once known for his controversial and combative style, has shown a softer side in recent years, a stark contrast to his peak fame as the so-called โshock jock.โ During that time, one of his frequent targets was Kathie Lee Gifford, whom he often criticized on-air. However, Gifford recently revealed how Stern made amends while promoting her new book, I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste.
The feud escalated in 1995 when Gifford was selected to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXIX. As she began her rendition of โThe Star-Spangled Banner,โ she was met with booing. She later discovered that Stern had instructed his listeners to jeer at her. Having never met Stern or listened to his show, Gifford described the incident as โcompletely surreal.โ
Fast forward nearly two decades to 2012, when Stern appeared on Today to announce his new role as a judge on Americaโs Got Talent. At the time, Gifford co-hosted the showโs fourth hour alongside Hoda Kotb. Despite precautions to keep them apart, Gifford introduced herself to Stern, as she recounted in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

โThe Lordโฆ said, โKathie, go down and say hello to him, and wish him well with the show,'โ Gifford recalled. โAnd I said, โOK Lord.โ I got up out of my hair and makeup [room]. Those girls had been told, โDonโt let Kathie go anywhere near the studio.โ I couldnโt care less. I go downstairs. They go, โWhere are you going?โ I said, โIโm going to go say hello to Howard.'โ
Despite the entourage surrounding Stern, Gifford approached him. โHeโs very, very tall, and I was in my little flats coming in from Connecticut,โ she said. โI said, โHey, itโs Kathie Lee.โ I thought it was about time. I said, โI want to wish you all the best with the new show.โ Then I went back to the makeup room. They asked, โWhyโd you do that?โ I said, โGod told me to.'โ
Gifford continued with her day, not expecting anything further from the encounter. However, later that evening, she received a phone call from an unknown number and instinctively knew it was Stern.
โWeโre having dinner, and I see the no-caller ID,โ she explained. โI said, โThatโs him.โ My husband and son did not want me to take that call. He had been horrible to me and horrendous to my entire familyโฆ Iโd never met the man, never listened to his show. I [heard] he said certain things about me. Iโd go, โWhy? I donโt even know the man.'โ

Gifford didnโt answer the call but later found that Stern had left her an apologetic voicemail. โI canโt even use the language that he used,โ she said. โIt was a lot of F-words, but he was saying, โI canโt believe how nice you were to me. Iโve been so rude to you and you were so nice. I just need to apologize to you. Please call me.'โ
Although she couldnโt return the call immediately, Gifford said they eventually spoke privately, during which Stern asked for her forgiveness.
โI said, โIโm really happy for you that youโre asking for forgiveness because anytime we hurt somebody in life, itโs important to ask for forgiveness,'โ Gifford recounted. โBut I just want you to know that I forgave you 30 years ago.โ He goes, โWhat?โ I said, โI forgave you 30 years ago, and Iโve been praying for you every day since. And itโs the truth. He goes, โOh my God.โ I said, โWould you like to come to dinner sometime?โ He goes, โYouโd have me at your house?โ I said, โOf course.'โ
While itโs unclear if Stern ever accepted her dinner invitation, the long-standing feud appears to have been resolved.
โHeโs a very odd duck,โ Gifford added. โBut then I saw him a couple of times over at Sirius, and we were fine. I can get along with a rock.โ