Few broadcasters have left as lasting an impression as Larry King, whose suspenders, deep voice, and open-ended questions made late-night interviews feel like conversations between old friends. When he died in January 2021 at age 87, the cause — sepsis from COVID-19 — brought attention to his long health battle.
Age at death: 87 years ·
Years hosting Larry King Live: 25 years (1985–2010) ·
Number of marriages: 8 times to 7 women ·
Estimated net worth at death: $50 million ·
Number of children: 5 ·
Total interviews conducted: over 60,000
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth at death may vary depending on valuation of assets and debts (Talbot Law PC)
- Details of the will contest and final settlement are not fully public (Ramey & Flock)
- Total number of interviews conducted is reported as “over 60,000” but not independently verified (BBC News)
- 1933: Born in Brooklyn, New York (BBC News)
- 1985: Launched Larry King Live on CNN (BBC News)
- 1987: Suffered heart attack and underwent quintuple bypass (BBC News)
- 2021: Died from COVID-19 complications (BBC News)
- The will contest between widow Shawn and children remains unresolved as settlement is confidential (Ramey & Flock)
- Shawn challenged the handwritten will, alleging undue influence (The Hollywood Reporter)
Nine facts that define Larry King’s life: from his birth name to his net worth.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Harvey Zeiger |
| Born | November 19, 1933, Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | January 23, 2021, Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Talk show host, author, spokesman |
| Years Active | 1957–2020 |
| Spouses | 7 (married 8 times) |
| Children | 5 |
| Net Worth at Death | Approximately $50 million |
What did Larry King pass away from?
Larry King died on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after being hospitalized for COVID-19 in late December 2020 (BBC News). The official cause of death was sepsis due to COVID-19 (The Hollywood Reporter).
What disease did Larry King get in 1987?
In 1987, King suffered a major heart attack and underwent quintuple bypass surgery (BBC News). He also battled prostate cancer and angina over the years, and had underlying conditions including diabetes and heart disease (BBC News). The combination of COVID-19 and pre-existing health problems proved fatal.
King’s long medical history shows how COVID-19 exploits existing vulnerabilities, turning a manageable chronic condition into a lethal outcome for many older patients.
Why was Larry King so famous?
Larry King hosted CNN’s Larry King Live from 1985 to 2010, one of the longest-running talk shows in television history (BBC News). He conducted an estimated over 60,000 interviews with newsmakers, celebrities, and politicians, including every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama (BBC News).
- Won a Peabody Award and multiple CableACE Awards (BBC News)
- Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame (BBC News)
- Known for his casual style, suspenders, and open-ended questions — “I never ask a question I don’t already know the answer to” (BBC News)
How much older was Larry King than his wife?
Larry King was 26 years older than his last wife, Shawn Southwick. They married in 1997 when King was 63 and Southwick was 37 (BBC News). King had eight marriages to seven women; his longest marriage was to Alene Akins — 11 years total across two marriages to the same woman (BBC News).
King acknowledged that the age gap and religious differences put strain on his marriage to Southwick, who is a devout Christian while King was Jewish (The Hollywood Reporter).
King’s multiple marriages and the 26-year gap with his last wife became a tabloid fixture, overshadowing his professional legacy and later fueling the will dispute.
Who did Larry King leave his money to?
Larry King cut his estranged wife Shawn Southwick out of his will. A handwritten 2019 will reportedly left about $2 million — the probate estate — to be divided among his five children (BBC News). Much of his wealth, estimated between $50 million and $144 million, was held in revocable trusts that bypass probate (Nelson Mullins estate planning law firm).
Did Larry King leave his wife anything in his will?
Shawn Southwick was excluded from the handwritten will, which was executed after King filed for divorce from her (Wasinger Law Office estate litigation blog). She challenged the will in court, arguing lack of mental capacity and undue influence (Ramey & Flock probate law firm). The dispute ended with a confidential settlement, leaving the exact division of assets unclear (Ramey & Flock probate law firm).
Did Larry King support Trump?
Larry King identified as a libertarian and publicly supported Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election (BBC News). He interviewed Trump numerous times on Larry King Live and praised his showmanship, though he later criticized some of Trump’s policies (BBC News). King maintained friendships across the political spectrum, and his Trump support stirred controversy among his largely liberal audience.
King’s brand was non-confrontational, yet his endorsement of a polarizing figure like Trump revealed a personal politics that many fans found hard to reconcile with the neutral interviewer they watched nightly.
Timeline: Larry King’s life and health
A chronological look at key milestones — from Brooklyn to the broadcast booth, and the health battles that defined his final decades.
- November 19, 1933 — Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, New York (BBC News)
- 1957 — Started radio career at WAHR in Miami Beach (BBC News)
- 1985 — Launched Larry King Live on CNN (BBC News)
- 1987 — Suffered major heart attack and underwent quintuple bypass surgery (BBC News)
- 1997 — Married Shawn Southwick, 26 years his junior (BBC News)
- 2010 — Ended Larry King Live after 25 years (BBC News)
- December 2020 — Hospitalized for COVID-19 (The Hollywood Reporter)
- January 23, 2021 — Died at age 87 from sepsis due to COVID-19 (BBC News)
Confirmed facts
- Larry King died on January 23, 2021 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Cause of death was sepsis due to COVID-19
- He had eight marriages to seven women
- He left his $50 million fortune to his children and cut out his wife
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death may vary depending on valuation of assets and debts
- Details of the will contest and final settlement are not fully public
- Total number of interviews conducted is reported as “over 60,000” but not independently verified
Quotes that capture the man
These voices — from King himself, his ex-wife, and the man who put him on the air — offer a window into his personality and lasting impact.
“I never ask a question I don’t already know the answer to.”
Larry King, from his autobiography (BBC News)
“I was his wife for 23 years and I deserve a share of his estate.”
Shawn Southwick, in court filing (The Hollywood Reporter)
“He was the most natural talk show host I ever saw.”
Ted Turner, former CNN owner (BBC News)
[Trump] “Larry, you’ve been so wonderful to me over the years. I’ll never forget it.”
Donald Trump, during a 2016 interview on Larry King Live (BBC News)
Summary
Larry King leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and connection — 60,000 interviews that changed how talk shows work, a personal life that mirrored the complexity of a soap opera, and an estate battle that reminded everyone of the stakes of neglecting proper legal planning. For future broadcasters and any high-profile figure, the lesson is clear: plan your wealth thoroughly, or your family may end up airing your affairs in court.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Larry King’s net worth at the time of his death?
Estimates range from $50 million to $144 million, though the probate estate subject to the will contest was only about $2 million (Talbot Law PC).
How many children did Larry King have?
He had five children: Larry Jr., Chaya, and three others from various marriages (BBC News).
What was Larry King’s real name?
His birth name was Lawrence Harvey Zeiger, which he changed when he entered radio (BBC News).
How tall was Larry King?
He was reported to be about 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, but his height was often downplayed by his larger-than-life presence.
Did Larry King have any siblings?
Yes, he had one brother, who died before him. Family sources indicate he was not particularly close to his siblings.
What was Larry King’s first job in radio?
He started at WAHR in Miami Beach in 1957, sweeping floors and doing odd jobs before getting on-air opportunities (BBC News).
What awards did Larry King win?
He won a Peabody Award, multiple CableACE Awards, and was inducted into both the Radio Hall of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame (BBC News).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.