Longtime GOP Radio Host Rush Limbaugh, Dead at 70 After Cancer Battle

By: Adam Beam 2/19/21

Photo Courtesy: AP Images

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio talk show host most famous for the long running program “The Rush Limbaugh Show” has passed away at the age of 70 following a year long cancer battle. The news of cancer was announced by Limbaugh back in 2020 on his radio program, around the same time he received the Medal of Freedom from then President Donald Trump.

Limbaugh began his successful radio career in 1983, and would eventually gain national attention a year later when his show on KFBK in Sacramento, California garnered a rising following. In 1988 he would move to New York City and sign a syndication deal with ABC Radio Networks. This was the beginning of Limbaugh’s big claim to fame, as his show grew more and more popular among Republican and right-leaning listeners, as well as changing the game for political talk radio. At times, Limbaugh’s audience would peak at nearly 25 million listeners, and in 2008 he signed a eight-year deal with Premiere Network for $400 million.

While Limbaugh had his fans, he was a symbol of controversy, as he was always vocal of his thoughts and feelings towards the political goings on in America. Limbaugh is often regarded as the individual who put the term “femi-Nazi” into the modern culture when referring to several prominent women. Limbaugh had suffered the most controversy in 2006 when he openly mocked actor Michael J. Fox for “exaggerating” his Parkinson’s Disease.

Limbaugh was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993. He penned a number of bestselling books including 1992’s “The Way Things Ought to Be” and 1993’s “See, I Told You So,” and the children’s book series “The Incredible Adventures of Rush Revere.” He was also inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 1998.

Limbaugh had no children, however he is survived by his wife Kathryn Limbaugh.