Rush Limbaugh's Net Worth At The Time Of His Death May Surprise You
Many fans of conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh were shocked to learn of his death at 70 years old on Wednesday. The media icon who worked closely with the Republican Party to shape ideals and a path to the future died after being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in January 2020 (per Fox News). Just days after receiving the diagnosis, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Donald Trump (per NBC News).
Limbaugh hosted his self-titled radio show from 1988 until present, with his most recent new episode coming out in December 2020. His wife, Kathryn, announced his death on the show on February 17. "Rush encouraged so many of us to think for ourselves. To learn and to lead. He often said it did not matter where you started or what you look like, as Americans we all have endless opportunities like nowhere else in the world," she shared. "From today on, there will be a tremendous void in our lives, and on the radio" (via Entertainment Tonight).
"Losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life," she told listeners (via Fox News). "Rush will forever be the greatest of all time."
Rush gained a lot of popularity and a fortune as a radio personality
Not only was Limbaugh one of the most popular radio hosts of all time, but he was also one of the most well-paid. As of 2018, he reportedly made $84.5 million a year in his contract for the show (per Forbes). Only Howard Stern was making more money than Limbaugh in radio.
It was a pretty big jump from 2001, when he was making an estimated $33 million each year (per Celebrity Net Worth). Aside from making all that cash, Limbaugh also had a pretty sweet oceanfront home in West Palm Beach. The seven-bedroom, 12-bathroom home was believed to be worth $26 million (per Virtual Globetrotting). That doesn't even take into consideration his penthouse condo on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Altogether, the late conservative radio star was believed to be worth $600 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth.