Larry King, Legendary Talk Show Host, Dies At 87

Larry King has died at age 87. King hosted Larry King Live on CNN for over 25 years taping over 6,000 episodes of the show. King battled a number of health problems and his death was confirmed by his son, Chance. The legendary talk show host had been hospitalized with Covid-19 in late December 2020 at Cedars-Sinai. Over the years, he's had multiple health issues including several heart attacks. He had even been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017. In 2019, he went through a procedure for angina. For now, his cause of death has not been revealed.

A statement said: With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.

King is survived by three sons, Larry, Jr., Chance and Cannon, who put out a statement as well: The world knew Larry King as a great broadcaster and interviewer, but to us he was 'Dad.' He was the man who lovingly obsessed over our daily schedules and our well-being, and who took such immense pride in our accomplishments -- large, small, or imagined. Through it all, we knew without a doubt in the world that he loved us more than life itself. He was an amazing father, and he was fiercely loyal to those lucky enough to call him a friend. We will miss him every single day of our lives.

The host also had some personal heartbreaks, apart from his ill health. In the summer of 2020, his son Andy, 65, and daughter Chaia, 51, died within 23 days apart from each other, reports PEOPLE. After his near-fatal stroke in 2019, he told the outlet "It's been a rough year," he said. "And I don't have any idea of what 2020 is going to be like. But I can still work and I can watch my kids grow up. I feel positive — and hopeful." In one of his last interviews, the iconic TV host remained grateful over his long career in broadcasting. "I wanted to be a broadcaster since I could remember, when I was five years old," King said while appearing on the series Dispatches From Quarantine, which was filmed in April. Talking about his job hosting Ora TV's Larry King Now, he said, "I know most people my age, 86, are not working so I count that as a blessing. I feel very lucky." Apart from his TV career, he established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to help people in need who did not have insurance.

Messages of condolences have been pouring in since the news of his death with many people online fondly remembering the icon over the years. If you'd like to make a contribution his sons have asked for donations to be the American Heart Association or the Beverly Hills Fire Department EMS.