Rush Limbaugh Biography
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was an influential American conservative political commentator. He gained widespread recognition as the host of The Rush Limbaugh Show, a radio program that began in 1984 and achieved national syndication on both AM and FM radio stations in 1988. Limbaugh remained at the helm of his show until his passing in 2021, making him one of the longest-running and most prominent figures in conservative media.
Rush Limbaugh Age
Limbaugh was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, U.S. He Died on February 17, 2021, at the age of 70.
Rush Limbaugh Height
Limbaugh stands at an approximate height of 6 feet and 2 inches.
Rush Limbaugh Family
Limbaugh was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to parents Rush Hudson Limbaugh II and Mildred Carolyn Limbaugh. He grew up alongside his younger brother David in the prominent political Limbaugh family. His father, a lawyer and United States fighter pilot who served in World War II hailed from a lineage deeply rooted in legal and political circles. Limbaugh’s mother, originally from Searcy, Arkansas, contributed to the family’s rich heritage.
The name “Rush” was chosen to honor the maiden name of a family member, Edna Rush, showing the significance of family ties in Limbaugh’s upbringing. With a lineage partly of German ancestry, Limbaugh’s family boasted numerous legal professionals, including his grandfather, father, and brother. His uncle, Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr., served as a federal judge, while his cousin, Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., followed suit as a judge in the same court.
Limbaugh’s grandfather, Rush Limbaugh Sr., left a lasting legacy as a Missouri prosecutor, judge, and prominent figure in the state’s political and historical spheres. Limbaugh’s early years were marked by academic and extracurricular achievements. At the age of 16, Limbaugh embarked on his radio career at KGMO, a local radio station, using the name Rusty Sharpe. He drew inspiration from Chicago DJ Larry Lujack, whom he regarded as a significant influence.
Rush Limbaugh’s Wife
Limbaugh had a colorful romantic life, marked by four marriages and three divorces. His first marriage was to Roxy Maxine McNeely, whom he wed at the age of 26 in 1977. They tied the knot at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Limbaugh’s hometown of Cape Girardeau. However, their union ended in divorce in 1980, with McNeely saying “incompatibility” as the reason.
In 1983, Limbaugh married Michelle Sixta, a college student and usherette at the Kansas City Royals Stadium Club. Their marriage lasted until 1990, after which Sixta remarried. Limbaugh’s third marriage was to Marta Fitzgerald, whom he met on the online service CompuServe in 1990. They exchanged vows on May 27, 1994, at the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who officiated the ceremony.
However, their relationship faced challenges, and they separated in 2004, with Limbaugh announcing their divorce on air. The divorce was finalized later that year. Following his split from Fitzgerald, Limbaugh became involved with then-CNN news anchor Daryn Kagan from September 2004 to February 2006. In 2010, Limbaugh tied the knot for the fourth time, marrying Kathryn Rogers, a party planner from Florida, on June 5.
Their wedding reception featured an entertainment performance by Elton John. Together, they launched a line of bottled iced tea beverages called “Two if by Tea” through a holding company named KARHL Holdings. Despite their venture’s success, production of the tea was halted in 2018 due to rising manufacturing and shipping costs. Limbaugh’s love life was as eventful as his career, and his marriages and relationships often made headlines alongside his political commentary and broadcasting achievements.
Rush Limbaugh’s Net Worth
Limbaugh had an estimated net worth of $600 Million which he had earned through his successful career as a conservative talk show host and author.
Rush Limbaugh Education
In 1969, Limbaugh graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he excelled in football and participated as a Boys State delegate. Despite his parents’ aspirations for him to attend college, Limbaugh enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University but dropped out after two semesters. Biographer Zev Chafets suggests that Limbaugh’s pursuit of radio success was driven in part by his desire to earn his father’s respect, a theme that would shape much of his life and career.
Rush Limbaugh Career
Limbaugh’s career in radio began in February 1971, at the age of 20, when he accepted a job as a DJ at WIXZ, a Top 40 station in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He used the on-air name “Bachelor Jeff” Christie before transitioning to his real name. After stints at various stations, Limbaugh found success at KFBK in Sacramento, California, where his show launched on October 14, 1984.
In 1988, Limbaugh was offered a nationally syndicated slot at ABC Radio Network, which he accepted. His show debuted on 50 stations on August 1, 1988, and quickly expanded to 100 stations within three months. Limbaugh’s show aired on WABC-AM in New York City, becoming his flagship station. By 1990, his popularity had grown significantly, and he embarked on a nationwide tour, the “Rush to Excellence Tour”, which showcased his growing influence.
Limbaugh’s rise coincided with the Gulf War, during which he garnered attention for his support of the war effort and criticism of peace activists. By the 1992 presidential election, he had become a prominent political commentator, expressing preferences for candidates and influencing political discourse. In the 2000s, Limbaugh faced personal challenges, including hearing loss and addiction to pain medication, for which he sought treatment.
He also had a brief work as a football commentator with ESPN in 2003, which ended amid controversy over his remarks about quarterback Donovan McNabb. Despite personal difficulties, Limbaugh’s radio show continued to thrive, and he signed lucrative contracts with Clear Channel Communications, making him one of the highest-paid broadcasters in the industry. His show aired for three hours each weekday and was broadcast worldwide on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
In addition to his radio show, Limbaugh had a syndicated half-hour television show from 1992 to 1996. He also made guest appearances on various television programs and films, showcasing his influence beyond the realm of radio. Throughout his career, Limbaugh remained a polarizing figure, admired by supporters for his conservative commentary and criticized by detractors for his controversial statements.
Rush Limbaugh Race
Limbaugh’s comments regarding race, particularly concerning African Americans, were often controversial and sparked widespread criticism. He once remarked that newspaper composite pictures of wanted criminals resembled Jesse Jackson and made a comparison between the NFL and the Bloods and Crips, street gangs known for their violence, saying that the NFL sometimes looked like a game between them without weapons.
During his time as a radio DJ, Limbaugh used a racial stereotype when addressing a black caller he had trouble understanding, telling them to “take that bone out of your nose and call me back.” While recounting this incident, Limbaugh expressed regret and acknowledged feeling guilty about it. In 2008, Limbaugh said that African Americans were “left behind” socially compared to other minority groups because, in his view, they had been systematically taught to hate the United States from a young age due to reliance on the welfare state.
Rush Limbaugh Taxes
Limbaugh advocated for lower taxes, including advocating for reductions in progressive taxes aimed at wealthy individuals. He argued that the wealthy were being unfairly taxed, as they contributed the majority of taxes in the United States. According to Limbaugh, reducing marginal tax rates would alleviate poverty and inequality by stimulating economic growth. He believed that lowering taxes on the wealthy would lead to increased production and ultimately generate more tax revenue.
Rush Limbaugh LGBT and AIDS
Limbaugh’s views on the LGBT community were often characterized by intolerance and insensitivity. He made statements about homosexual sexual practices, viewed them as unhygienic, and expressed discriminatory views towards individuals with HIV/AIDS. In the 1980s and 1990s, Limbaugh made derogatory and stigmatizing remarks about HIV/AIDS victims, referring to the virus as “Rock Hudson’s disease” and “the only federally protected virus.”
Rush Limbaugh Sexual consent
Limbaugh’s views on consent in sexual relations were controversial and troubling. He dismissed the concept of consent and viewed it as a tool used by the political left, referring to it as “the magic key to the left.” His remarks reflected a dismissive attitude towards the importance of clear and affirmative consent in sexual encounters. In 2014, Limbaugh criticized a policy at Ohio State University that encouraged students to obtain verbal consent, making insensitive remarks about the interpretation of “no” in sexual interactions.
Rush Limbaugh’s Drug Policy
Limbaugh was vocal about what he perceived as leniency towards drug use in the United States, particularly regarding enforcement based on race. On his television show in 1995, he said that “too many whites are getting away with drug use” and illegal drug trafficking. He suggested that increasing detection efforts, conviction rates, and jail time for whites involved in illegal drugs could address this racial disparity in enforcement.
Rush Limbaugh Feminism
Limbaugh held critical views of feminism, which he believed benefited liberals rather than women in general. He once wrote in a newspaper column that feminism “was established so that unattractive ugly broads could have easy access to the mainstream of society.” He also criticized Democratic congressmen for calling for more women in Congress while opposing female Republican candidates, labeling them as hypocritical.
Rush Limbaugh Abortion
Limbaugh’s “caller abortions” on his Sacramento radio show in 1989 involved ending a call suddenly with the sounds of a vacuum cleaner and a scream. Despite promising not to hang up on callers, he would deny having done so afterward. Limbaugh stated that he used this gag to illustrate “the tragedy of abortion” and to provoke discussion on whether abortion constitutes murder. The segment sparked significant debate and criticism.
Rush Limbaugh Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and often posts on his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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