Biography - Rush Limbaugh

Who was Rush Limbaugh?

Rush Limbaugh was a conservative Radio host, a political commentator known most for The Rush Limbaugh Show. Born into a family of lawyers, he chose a different career for himself. Read on to know more about him, controversy, and racist comments.

Rush Limbaugh – Age, Parents, Siblings

Rush Limbaugh was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S.A. His birth name/full name was Rush Hudson Limbaugh III. His mother's name is Mildred Carolyn Limbaugh and his father is Rush Hudson Limbaugh Jr., a lawyer, and a U.S. fighter pilot.

Limbaugh comes from a long family line of lawyers. His parents raised him alongside his younger sibling David Limbaugh, who is a lawyer.

Education, Ethnicity

Rush Limbaugh was educated at the Missouri Central High School and graduated from the same in 1969. Because of his parent’s desire, he enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University but dropped out after only two semesters, pursuing a career in radio and broadcasting.

His ethnicity includes German, English, and Scottish.

Rush Limbaugh – Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Divorce, Affair

Rush Limbaugh first married at the age of 26 to Roxy Maxine McNeely. McNeely worked as a sales secretary at radio station WHB. He and his girlfriend tied the knot on September 24, 1977, at the Centenary United Methodist. But after 3 years into the marriage, McNeely filed for divorce in March 1980 which was finalized on July 10, 1980.

He then went on to date Michelle Sixta, a college student. He married his girlfriend on 19 December 1982 at the Kansas City Royals Stadium Club. But the marriage could not and they divorced in 1990. He and his ex-wife did not have any children together.

Limbaugh’s third marriage was to Marta Fitzgerald, an aerobics instructor. They had met in 1990 on the online service CompuServe. After years of relationship, the couple married on May 27, 1994. Like his previous marriages, his married life soon crumbled. They separated on June 11, 2004, and the divorce was finalized in December 2004.

He then went on to have an affair with CNN news anchor Daryn Kagan. They had begun their romantic relationship in September 2004 but soon ended it in February 2006.

He was married to Kathryn Rogers, a party planner until his death in February 2021. The couple had started to date in 2007 and finally married on June 5, 2010. The wedding was even entertained by Elton John for a reported $1 million fee!

Through all the marriages and wives, he has no children.

Also read: Susan Olsen - Actress, Radio host

Rush Limbaugh – Career

After Rush Limbaugh dropped out of college, he moved to McKeesport, Pennsylvania. In the 1970s, he worked as a broadcaster for  WIXZ and KQV but was fired from the latter after the studio was sold. As he struggled to find work as a broadcaster, he moved to Kansas City and worked there as a director of promotions for the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

The year 1984 brought a change in his career path. He returned as a talk show host with the KFBK. His work was greatly appreciated and also caught the attention of former ABC Radio President Edward McLaughlin. Rush Limbaugh then moved to New York City broadcasting for WABC, where he continues to work to date.

In 2003, he briefly worked as a pro football commentator with ESPN. He resigned only after a few weeks due to controversy and accusations of racism on his part. 

Limbaugh also began to host The Rush Limbaugh Show in 1988 and is aired on Premiere Networks. The show has been named the highest-rated talk radio show in the United States. Between 1992 and 1996, he also hosted a half-hour television show.

Aside from the radio, he has appeared in The Pat Sajak Show (1990), Late Show with David Letterman (December 17, 1993),  Hearts Afire (1994),  Forget Paris (1995), The Drew Carey Show (1998), The 1/2 Hour News Hour (2007), Family Guy, among others.

Also read: Lara Spencer - TV Host, Reality TV star, Author

Rush Limbaugh – Health, Drug issue

Over the years Limbaugh has dealt with health and drug issues. On October 3, 2003, he was investigated for illegally obtaining oxycodone and hydrocodone, two prescription drugs. 

He admitted on his radio that he became addicted to prescription painkillers as a result of several years of severe back pain and botched surgery. In June 2006, he was detained at  Palm Beach International Airport for carrying Viagra illegally.

In 2001, Limbaugh announced that he had gone completely deaf, although he continued to host the show. He added that his condition was not genetic and has been diagnosed with autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). On December 19, 2001, he had cochlear implant surgery and also received a Clarion CII Bionic Ear. In 2005, he underwent "tuning" due to an "eye twitch," which is a side effect of the cochlear implants he had previously received.

Also read: Carlos PenaVega - Singer, Actor, YouTuber

Rush Limbaugh – Controversy,  racism

He has been known to make controversial and racist remarks. While working at the NFL, he made racist remarks about Donovan McNabb, an African American quarterback. He does not support consent in sexual relations and also does not support the relationship between CFCs and the depletion of the ozone layer.

In addition, he was critical of feminism and even stated,  " it was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society." He uses the term "feminazi". In politics, he had commented on January 16, 2009, on Obama's presidency, "I hope he fails." Later after Obama won, Limbaugh changed his "words" several times and finally settled with  "He's my president, he's a human being, and his ideas and policies are what count for me."

On February 29, 2012, Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke, a law student "slut" and "prostitute."

Also read: Maria Bartiromo - Journalist, Author, TV host

Rush Limbaugh – Net Worth, Salary

The net worth and annual salary of Limbaugh are estimated at around ‎$600 million and $85 million respectively.

Rush Limbaugh – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On Twitter, Facebook Rush Limbaugh was followed by several hundred thousand followers. He also has an official website- rushlimbaugh.com.

Rush Limbaugh – Death

Limbaugh, who was a former cigarette smoker was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer on January 20, 2020. He passed away on February 17, 2021, at the age of 70 from complications of his lung cancer.

Also read: Shepard Smith - Journalist, Anchor, TV host of Shepard Smith Reporting