Who Is Rush Limbaugh? Age, Biography and Wiki
Rush Limbaugh, born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was a prominent American political commentator and radio host renowned for his provocative views and extensive influence on conservative media. He passed away on February 17, 2021, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to impact the political landscape. At the time of his passing, Limbaugh was 70 years old, and his contributions to political discourse remain a topic of conversation even in 2025.
| Occupation | Radio Host |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1951 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 17 February, 2021 |
| Died Place | Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
Popularity
Rush Limbaugh's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though Rush Limbaugh has left us, his physicality was often part of his public persona. He stood at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighed around 300 pounds (136 kg) during his broadcasting career. Given his larger-than-life character, his presence felt significant both on and off the air.
On December 30, 2009, while vacationing in Honolulu, Hawaii, Limbaugh was admitted to Queen's Medical Center with intense chest pains. His doctors attributed the pain to angina pectoris.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Rush Limbaugh was married three times during his lifetime. His most recent marriage was to Kathryn Rogers, whom he wed in 2010. Throughout his life, Limbaugh maintained a private family life, focusing on his career but also often sharing stories about his family during broadcasts. As he is no longer living, discussions about his dating status would no longer apply.
He and his younger brother David were born into the prominent political Limbaugh family; his father was a lawyer and a United States fighter pilot who served in the China Burma India Theater of World War II. His mother was from Searcy, Arkansas. The name "Rush" was originally chosen for his grandfather to honor the maiden name of a family member, Edna Rush.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Rush Limbaugh's net worth was estimated to be around $600 million. A significant portion of his wealth stemmed from his highly lucrative radio show, "The Rush Limbaugh Show," along with earnings from his books and various business ventures. Limbaugh was known to command hefty salaries and had lucrative contracts with major media outlets, which further contributed to his financial success.
Limbaugh became one of the most prominent conservative voices in the United States during the 1990s and hosted a national television show from 1992 to 1996. He was among the most highly paid figures in American radio history; in 2018 Forbes listed his earnings at $84.5 million.
In December 2019, Talkers Magazine estimated that Limbaugh's show attracted a cumulative weekly audience of 15.5 million listeners to become the most-listened-to radio show in the United States. Limbaugh also wrote seven books; his first two, The Way Things Ought to Be (1992) and See, I Told You So (1993), made The New York Times Best Seller list.
Career, Business and Investments
Rush Limbaugh's career spanned over three decades, making him one of the most recognizable voices in American media. He began his radio career in the 1980s and quickly gained a massive following with his conservative views and engaging persona. His radio show garnered listeners in the millions, and he was also a successful author, with several best-selling books under his belt. In addition to his media career, Limbaugh made astute investments, contributing to his impressive net worth.
In 1975, Limbaugh began an afternoon show at the Top 40 station KUDL in Kansas City, Missouri. He soon became the host of a public affairs talk program that aired on weekend mornings which allowed him to develop his style and present more controversial ideas.
In 1977, he was let go from the station but remained in Kansas City to start an evening show at KFIX. The stint was short-lived, however, and disagreements with management led to his dismissal weeks later. By this time, Limbaugh had become disillusioned with radio and felt pressure to pursue a different career.
He looked back on himself as "a moderate failure [...] as a deejay". In 1979, he accepted a part-time role in group sales for the Kansas City Royals baseball team which developed into a full-time position as director of group sales and special events. He worked from the Royals Stadium.
There he developed a friendship with then-Royals star third baseman and future Hall of Famer George Brett. The two men remained close friends.
Limbaugh said that business trips to Europe and Asia during this time developed his conservative views as he considered countries in those geographic areas to have lower standards of living than the United States.
Social Network
Despite his passing, the impact of Rush Limbaugh remains active across various social networks. His official accounts and fan pages continue to attract followers and engage in discussions about his philosophy and legacy. Supporters often share clips of his past shows, quotes, and insights that reflect on his contributions to political commentary.
In December 1990, journalist Lewis Grossberger wrote in The New York Times Magazine that Limbaugh had "more listeners than any other talk show host" and described Limbaugh's style as "bouncing between earnest lecturer and political vaudevillian".
Limbaugh's rising profile coincided with the Gulf War, coupled with a stalwart support for the war effort and relentless ridicule of peace activists. The program was moved to stations with larger audiences, eventually being broadcast on over 650 radio stations nationwide.
Education
Rush Limbaugh attended Southeast Missouri State University, where he studied radio and television communication. Although he did not graduate, his educational experience laid the groundwork for his future success in broadcasting and media. His innate ability to analyze and communicate complex political ideas helped him stand out as a prominent figure in American journalism.
In November 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States. Limbaugh satirized the policies of Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, as well as those of the Democratic Party in general.
Following the Republican Revolution, in which the party regained control of Congress in the 1994 midterm elections after several decades, the freshman Republican class awarded Limbaugh an honorary membership in their caucus, crediting him with having had a role in their success.
