NEW YORK, NY (WSAU) — Conservative talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh has died at the age of 70 after a year-long battle with advanced lung cancer.
His wife, Kathryn, announced his passing on his Wednesday radio show.
Limbaugh is considered one of the pioneers of the modern conservative movement. His radio show, heard on more than 27-million listeners across more than 600 radio stations, had become a rating and political juggernaut. His show has been heard nationally since 1988 and is widely credited with reviving the AM radio band and ushering in a new type of talk show based on the political opinions of the host.
Limbaugh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump shortly after his diagnosis in January of 2020.
“I wasn’t expected to be alive today,” Limbaugh said during his final broadcast of 2020. “I wasn’t expected to make it to October, and then to November, and then to December. And yet, here I am.”
The former President told FOX News that he spoke to Limbaugh last week and knew he wasn’t doing well. His radio show had been relying on guest hosts for the better part of two weeks leading up to his death.
Mark Steyn had been scheduled to host Wednesday’s edition of the show. Instead, Kathryn opened the show with a message from the family followed by a playing of Ray Charles’ rendition of “America, the Beautiful.”
Former President Trump released a statement through his office saying “The great Rush Limbaugh has passed away to a better place, free from physical pain and hostility. His honor, courage, strength, and loyalty will never be replaced. Rush was a patriot, a defender of Liberty, and someone who believed in all of the greatness our Country stands for. Rush was a friend to myself and millions of Americans—a guiding light with the ability to see the truth and paint vivid pictures over the airwaves. Melania and I express our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Kathryn, his family, and all of his dedicated fans. He will be missed greatly.”
Limbaugh was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and began working in radio at age 16. He was a disc jockey until he was fired for “talking too much” while hosting an afternoon-drive music show in Pittsburgh. Thus began his talk radio career, which included a local program in Sacramento that would grow into the nationally-syndicated Rush Limbaugh Show.
Limbaugh is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and a five-time Marconi Award winner, which honors excellence in radio broadcasting.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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