Let’s talk about feuds—those dramatic, long-standing disagreements that sometimes seem like they’ll never end. You know the kind, right? Well, Kathie Lee Gifford experienced one of these herself, and it lasted a whopping three decades. Imagine that! It wasn’t until May 9, when she sat down with her Today co-star Jenna Bush Hager, that she finally opened up about her one-sided dispute with the legendary Howard Stern. Can you believe this story took 30 years to unfold? Let’s dive in.

How It All Began: A One-Sided Feud That Lasted 30 Years

Now, picture this: Howard Stern, the king of all media, had a beef with Kathie Lee Gifford that lasted an entire generation. But here’s the twist—Kathie Lee didn’t even know about it until much later. “Howard Stern had a feud with me going on 30 years. I never met the guy. I never listened to his show,” Kathie Lee confessed to Jenna. “But apparently, he hated my guts for 30 years. He didn’t just stop there—he hated my husband, my kids, everything I stood for. It was like I was Public Enemy Number One on his airwaves, and I didn’t even know it.”

Imagine being in Kathie Lee’s shoes. Here’s a guy you’ve never even met, and he’s been trash-talking you for decades. But instead of getting defensive or angry, Kathie Lee decided to take the high road. She realized it was time to break the cycle of negativity and extend an olive branch.

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Kathie Lee and her family.

So how did this all come to an end? Well, one day, Kathie Lee was getting ready in the makeup room when she heard Howard Stern was nearby to announce America’s Got Talent. “I just felt this strong sense from the Lord, like, ‘Go down there and say hello to Howard,’” she explained. “So I went down, and there he was—6’6” and me in flat shoes at 5’5”. I said, ‘Howard, Howard, it’s Kathie Lee. I thought it was time we said hello. I just want to wish you the very best with your show.’ And then I walked away. He was totally caught off guard.”

Howard’s Apology: A Moment of Redemption

After that unexpected encounter, Howard didn’t just leave things hanging. He left Kathie Lee a voicemail to apologize for his behavior. “I was completely blown away,” she admitted. “He called me again during dinner, and we ended up talking for half an hour. He said, ‘Kathie, please forgive me. I’m doing some hard work on my life. I know I hurt you, and I’m so sorry. I need your forgiveness.’”

And Kathie Lee, the mom of two and beloved Today co-host, knew she couldn’t hold a grudge. She responded, “I’m so happy for you. You’re doing the work you need to do, and that’s important. And you should know, Howard, I forgave you 30 years ago. I’ve been praying for you every single day since then, and I still do.”

Looking Back: When Pigs Fly

During a 2014 appearance on Andy Cohen’s Bravo talk show Watch What Happens Live, Kathie Lee revisited the feud. “[Howard said], ‘I used a lot of harsh language, but I’m so sorry. You never deserved it,’” she recalled. “‘You’ve always been so nice. You just pissed me off because you were everything I wasn’t.’” Kathie Lee joked with Jenna, “I now know the meaning of ‘when pigs fly.’ It took 30 years, but it finally happened.”

So, there you have it—a story of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of letting go. Feuds can last forever if we let them, but sometimes all it takes is one person willing to extend a hand.