Conservative talk radio show host Rush Limbaugh has passed at age 70. Limbaugh had been suffering from stage IV lung cancer for over a year. His death comes as a shock to millions of listeners across the country.

   Limbaugh, who had undergone spinal surgery in the late ’90s, revealed his addiction to prescription painkillers in late 2003. He also suffered from a loss of hearing, which led to his cochlear implants in 2001. Limbaugh was a heavy smoker which led to the development of his killer- stage IV lung cancer

    Limbaugh was a purveyor of right-wing politics for over 40 years on his talk radio show. His strong opposition to left-wing politics led to his expressive style of radio hosting. He held many unpopular views and expressed them in his career, giving a voice to those who shared his opinions, and sparking discussion and controversies on some of the most important topics of his generation.

   Limbaugh was a decorated radio host with many awards and honors. Most notably, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993. He also has numerous other awards including the Marconi Radio Award, CPAC’s Defender of the Constitution Award, and the William F. Buckley Jr. Award. 

   Limbaugh is survived by his wife Kathryn, who shortly after his death announced, “As so many of you know, losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life.”

   Talk radio has lost one of its most renowned personalities, who transformed the talk radio scene in his decades of broadcasting.