Rush Limbaugh Dies at 70 After Battle With Lung Cancer

Radio talk show celebrity Rush Limbaugh in a file photo. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has died at age 70, according to his wife.

Limbaugh passed away at his home in Palm Beach, Florida, his wife, Kathryn Adams Limbaugh, said on his radio show on Feb. 17, hours after his death.

Limbaugh was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, causing him to miss hosting the show.

“This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory, for me, because I’ve known this moment was coming,” Limbaugh said on the air at the time.

“I can’t help but feel that I’m letting everybody down with this. But the upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.”

It prompted then-President Donald Trump in February 2020 to present Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his State of the Union Address in front of the joint session of Congress.

“He is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet,” Trump said at the time, adding that the medal recognized all that Limbaugh had done for America.

In December 2020, Limbaugh told listeners that he considered himself “extremely fortunate and lucky” to still be alive, considering the grim diagnosis.

“I wasn’t expected to make it to October, and then to November, and then to December,” he said. “And yet, here I am and today. Got some problems, but I’m feeling pretty good today. ... God knows how important this program is for me today. ”

Limbaugh was born in 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He had a long career in media. After leaving college in 1971, he hosted his own radio show for many years.

Limbaugh was a stalwart Trump supporter who often praised the Republican businessman and president. He was also a critic of former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden.

Condolences poured in on Feb. 17 when news of his death emerged.

Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany wrote on Twitter: “Rush Limbaugh had unrelenting boldness to proclaim the truth. Watching his wit, passion, and willingness to hold the media accountable informed my entire career.”

Radio host Glenn Beck wrote: “I just got news the Rush Limbaugh has passed away. Thanks, Rush for all you taught, gave, and were. A hero to many. An icon. A patriot. A revolutionary that saved radio. Heaven’s gain, our loss.”

British politician and activist Nigel Farage wrote: “So sad to see the death of Rush Limbaugh. He was a conservative radio phenomenon for decades and gave the silent majority a voice.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wrote: “Rush Limbaugh often said, ‘I have talent on loan from God.’ He understood that our gifts on this earth are not our own—they’re a blessing. He shared his gifts with all of us. And we’ll miss him dearly.”

Jack Phillips and Gary Du contributed to this report.