Rush Limbaugh, controversial conservative radio host, dead at 70

Limbaugh, the influential media icon who transformed talk radio and helped shape the modern-day Republican Party, died Wednesday morning at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer, his family announced.

Limbaugh's wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show.

'I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone right now, welcoming you to another exceptional three hours of broadcasting.

It is with great sadness to inform you that Rush Limbaugh passed away today, April 17 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

Rush Limbaugh, whose show airs on 953 MNC, has lost his battle with lung cancer.

His love of the United States earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump during the State of the Union Address in 2020, shortly after he received his cancer diagnosis. In this time of sorrow, Rush's voice will continue to be heard, providing comfort and continued insight to his legions of loyal fans. "Losing a loved one is terribly hard, even more so when that loved one is larger than life", she said. He missed only a few shows in October.

Limbaugh periodically updated his audience on his health condition, telling listeners during his final radio broadcast of 2020 that he outlived his prognosis and thanked them for their outpour of support.

'I wasn't expected to be alive today, ' he said.

The syndicated show began on just over 50 radio station, but spread like wildfire.

Limbaugh's appeal and the success of his top-rated radio show arose from his brash and colorful style, his delight in baiting liberals and Democrats and his promotion of conservative and Republican causes and politicians.