(CMR) Rush Limbaugh, a US conservative media personality aligned to the Republican party, has died after ailing from lung cancer.
Limbaugh (70) announced in February 2020 that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage 4 lung cancer.
His wife Kathryn announced news of his death on national radio via the Rush Limbaugh Show on Wednesday.
“For over 32 years, Rush has cherished you, his loyal audience, and always looked forward to every single show. It is with profound sadness that I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer,” his wife, Kathryn, said.
“As so many of you know, losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life,” she added.
Critics often referred to Limbaugh as a bigot, especially after he commented that “If any race of people should not have guilt about slavery, it’s Caucasians.”
Limbaugh was also revered by many and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 by then President Donald Trump.
“Unflinchingly conservative, wildly partisan, bombastically self-promoting and larger than life, Limbaugh galvanized listeners for more than 30 years with his talent for sarcastic, insult-laced commentary,” Matt Sedensky, AP writer, stated.
Limbaugh was one of the most popular and most well-paid radio talkshow hosts.
He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 1993 and 1998, respectively.