Rush Limbaugh, the conservative firebrand radio host who was a pillar of right-wing media in the U.S. for more than 30 years, died on Wednesday after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 70.Limbaugh's wife, Kathryn, announced the news on his radio show.Limbaugh disclosed the severity of his illness to listeners of his syndicated "The Rush Limbaugh Show" in February 2020 when he took several days off to receive treatment. That same month he was awarded the Medal of Freedom,...
Rush
Limbaugh
Radio Host
Limbaugh’s loyal listeners (called “Dittoheads”) got a shock when the veteran conservative host announced in February 2020 he’d been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. This came after iHeartMedia’s Premiere Radio Networks renewed his contract, which in the past was reported to be $85.4 million annually. Limbaugh remained on the air for much of his treatment but was hospitalized with a severe infection in August, and in October he revealed the cancer was progressing, acknowledging he must face the finality of his prognosis. Airing on 650 affiliates nationwide, “The Rush Limbaugh Show” has featured regular appearances by President Trump, who billed his two-hour October call-in as the largest radio rally in history.
Limbaugh succumbed to his cancer in February 2021.