Full Name
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III
Date of Birth
January 12, 1951
Place of Birth
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States
Date of Death
February 17, 2021 (cause of death: lung cancer)
Place of Death
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Education
- Southeast Missouri State University (did not graduate)
Spouses Names
Children Names
N/A
Parents Names
Mildred Carolyn Limbaugh, Rush Hudson Limbaugh Jr.
Siblings’ Names
Known Affiliates Names
N/A
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
Personal Life
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, into a family with a significant legal and political background. His father, Rush Hudson Limbaugh II, was a lawyer and a fighter pilot during World War II. Limbaugh’s early interest in radio was evident, and despite his family’s initial reservations about a career in broadcasting, he pursued his passion from a young age. He began his broadcasting career while still in high school, working at a local radio station. Limbaugh’s marriages include unions with Roxy Maxine McNeely, Michelle Sixta, Marta Fitzgerald, and Kathryn Rogers, whom he married in 2010 and remained with until his death[1][5].
Career
Limbaugh’s radio career began in earnest in the 1970s, but it was not until 1984 that he found significant success in Sacramento, California. His national breakthrough came in 1988 when “The Rush Limbaugh Show” was syndicated across the United States. Limbaugh’s show became the highest-rated talk radio program in the country, with an audience of more than 30 million at its peak. He was known for his conservative political commentary, which played a significant role in shaping the conservative movement in America. Limbaugh was also a successful author, with his books “The Way Things Ought To Be” and “See, I Told You So” becoming bestsellers[2][15].
Achievements
Limbaugh received numerous awards throughout his career, including being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was a five-time winner of the Marconi Award for Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year. In 2020, President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions to American culture and conservative politics[6][15].
Controversies, Myths, Misconceptions
Limbaugh was a polarizing figure, often criticized for his controversial remarks on race, feminism, LGBTQ+ issues, and climate change. He faced backlash for comments made about Barack Obama, Sandra Fluke, and his parody song “Barack, the Magic Negro.” Despite these controversies, Limbaugh maintained a massive and loyal listener base. His style and approach to broadcasting were seen by supporters as pioneering, while critics accused him of promoting divisiveness[4][12][18].
Bibliography
- ”The Way Things Ought To Be” (1992)
- “See, I Told You So” (1993)
- Rush Revere series (co-authored with Kathryn Adams Limbaugh):
- “Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims” (2013)
- “Rush Revere and the First Patriots” (2014)
- “Rush Revere and the American Revolution” (2014)
- “Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner” (2015)
- “Rush Revere and the Presidency” (2016)[5][15].
Citations
Citations: