Kathie Lee Gifford talks forgiveness, God's guidance in ending her 30-year feud with Howard Stern

Kathie Lee Gifford and Howard Stern had a long-standing feud that spanned three decades but the "Today" co-host had no idea why Stern disliked her for so long.

Kathie Lee Gifford talks about forgiveness on her morning show with Hoda Kotb. YouTube/Today

Speaking on her NBC morning show this week, Gifford revealed some details about her feud with the radio personality. She said that while she has never personally met Stern nor listened to his radio program before, he often attacked her and her family on his show.

For three decades, Stern mocked Gifford on air and habitually made her life the butt of jokes on his show.

"He hated my guts for 30 years," Gifford said. "Hated my husband, hated my children. Hated everything I stood for," she further explained.

Gifford, however, saw an opportunity and made the first move to patch it up with Stern when they had the chance to work together on "America's Got Talent" on NBC. The host and actress said she felt God guiding and prodding her to make peace with the radio star.

After introducing herself to Stern and wishing him the best, Gifford recalled that she felt as flabbergasted as the radio host for the bold move. It paid off, however, as she later got a call from Stern, who eventually asked for her forgiveness.

Gifford told Stern, "I forgave you 30 years ago, and I've been praying for you every single day since, and I still do."

In 2014, Gifford also talked about her reconciliation with Stern on Andy Cohen's show. Stern told her that she did not deserve his insults and owned up to hurting her because she represented everything he was not.

Growing up in the world of show business, Gifford knew that being in the spotlight could be brutal. Her Christian faith, however, sustains her from the pressures. She told CBN News she believes in God's purpose for her and as long as she's alive she will fulfill this purpose.

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