Larry King – The Life, Death and Legacy of a Broadcasting Icon

Larry King, the iconic talk show host known for his suspenders and probing yet gentle style, died on January 23, 2021, at the age of 87. According to multiple sources, including Wikipedia and Britannica, the immediate cause of death was sepsis. King had been hospitalized with COVID-19 and suffered a heart attack shortly before his death, but sepsis was identified as the final complication.

King was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger on November 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his broadcasting career in 1957 at a Miami radio station and went on to become one of the most recognizable faces on television, hosting Larry King Live on CNN from 1985 to 2010. His career spanned more than six decades, during which he conducted over 50,000 interviews.

King’s health declined in the final months of 2020. He was hospitalized in December with COVID-19, and despite being vaccinated and boosted, the virus contributed to a cascade of complications. His family confirmed that sepsis, a severe response to infection, was the immediate cause of death. The exact role of the heart attack in his final days remains a matter of medical detail, but the consensus among reporters is that sepsis was the terminal event.

Key Insights About Larry King’s Life and Death

• Larry King conducted over 60,000 interviews across his career, holding a Guinness World Record for most broadcast interviews.
• He was married eight times to seven different women, a record for a talk show host.
• His final health battle involved COVID-19, contracted in early January 2021 despite being vaccinated and boosted.
• The Larry King Hair brand in London is operated by a separate namesake stylist, not the broadcaster.
• He held the Guinness World Record for “Most broadcast interviews” until his death.

Snapshot Facts

Who Were Larry King’s Spouses and What Was His Personal Life Like?

How Many Times Was Larry King Married?

King was married eight times to seven women, according to BBC News. His marriages included Freda Miller, Annette Kaye, Mickey Sutphin, Alene Akins, Sharon Lepore, Julie Alexander, and Shawn Southwick, who was his final wife. The marriages were often short-lived, but King remained close to many of his former spouses.

Did Larry King Have Children?

King had five children: Larry Jr., Kelly, Andy, Chaia, and Cannon, according to CNN’s fast facts. Some sources also list Chance and a stepson Danny. The exact number of biological children varies slightly across reports, but the most commonly cited figure is five.

What Was Larry King’s Net Worth?

Estimates of Larry King’s net worth at the time of his death vary widely. Some sources suggest a figure between $50 million and $150 million, but no reliable financial disclosure has been publicly confirmed. The wide range reflects the difficulty of valuing his media assets, real estate, and intellectual property. No official statement from his estate has been released.

What Was Larry King’s Career? From Radio to Larry King Live and Movies

How Did Larry King Get His Start in Broadcasting?

King began his career in 1957 at WAHR radio in Miami Beach, adopting the on-air name “Larry King.” He later hosted a national call-in radio show in 1978, which became his first major breakthrough. His style—direct, open-ended questions—made him a favorite among listeners and eventually led to television.

What Were Larry King’s Most Famous Interviews?

King interviewed every U.S. president from Gerald Ford through Barack Obama, and some sources extend that list to include Donald Trump. He also conducted memorable interviews with figures such as Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat, and Shimon Peres after the Oslo Accords in 1995. His plainspoken, nonconfrontational approach put guests at ease, allowing them to speak at length.

What Movies Did Larry King Appear In?

King made cameo appearances in several films, including Ghostbusters (1984), The Simpsons (voice, multiple episodes), and Shrek 2. He also appeared in documentaries and TV dramas as himself. His filmography is available on IMDb.

What Awards Did Larry King Win?

King won two Peabody Awards, 10 CableACE Awards, and was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Guinness World Record for most broadcast interviews was held by him until his death.

What Is the Larry King Hair Salon in London?

The Larry King Hair salon in London is a high-end hair salon owned by a stylist named Larry King, who is not the broadcaster. The salon offers luxury cuts, coloring, and styling services. Despite the shared name, there is no connection between the broadcaster and the salon brand. The salon’s website is larrykinghair.com. This often causes confusion in search results, as users searching for the talk show host may encounter the salon’s commercial content.

Larry King: A Life in Broadcasting

1. 1933 – Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, NY.
2. 1957 – Started at WAHR radio in Miami Beach; adopted on-air name Larry King.
3. 1978 – Arrested for grand larceny (charges later dropped); brief career pause.
4. 1985 – Launched Larry King Live on CNN.
5. 1995 – Interviewed Yitzhak Rabin, Arafat, and Peres after Oslo Accords.
6. 2010 – Ended Larry King Live; began Larry King Now on Ora TV.
7. 2020 – Health declined; hospitalized for COVID-19 in December.
8. 2021 – Died January 23 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Larry King’s Life and Death?

What Was Larry King’s Impact on Broadcasting?

Larry King was the most recognizable talk show host of the cable era, known for his suspenders, direct questions, and ability to land exclusive interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and controversial figures. His death in 2021 marked the end of an era in broadcast journalism. The CNN obituary described him as a “giant in the broadcasting world.”

King’s legacy rests on his plainspoken, nonconfrontational interviewing style, which made guests from presidents to entertainers and ordinary callers comfortable talking at length. He interviewed every U.S. president from Gerald Ford through Barack Obama, and some summaries extend that through President Trump. The National Portrait Gallery notes his reputation for more than fifty thousand interviews across a half-century career.

Separately, the Larry King Hair brand in London is a high-end salon business owned by a different Larry King, creating occasional confusion in search results. This distinction is important for anyone looking for the broadcaster’s biography versus commercial services.

What Did Others Say About Larry King?

“Larry King was a giant in the broadcasting world and a dear friend…”

— Ora Media statement (January 2021)

“I never learned anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.”

— Larry King (autobiography / interviews)

What Is Larry King’s Lasting Legacy?

Larry King’s legacy continues through archived interviews, the Larry King Foundation, and the ongoing operation of the Larry King Hair salon in London. His family maintains control of his intellectual property. For those interested in the history of his most famous show, read more about the Larry King Live history. His influence on talk show hosting is often compared to other famous talk show hosts of the 1990s.

Frequently Asked Questions About Larry King