Ethan Rhodes
Larry King was hospitalized in April 2019 for an angioplasty, during which stents were inserted to reopen the bypass he received in 1987. He was placed in the cardiac intensive care unit and was expected to make a full recovery. In January 2021, King was hospitalized again for COVID-19. At 87 years old, King was in a high-risk group for COVID complications due to his history of health problems, including multiple heart attacks and at least two types of cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019 |
| Reason for Hospitalization | Angioplasty |
| Age | 83 |
| Previous Health Issues | Heart attack in 1987, prostate cancer in 1999, lung cancer |
| Marriage | Married Shawn Southwick in 1997, divorced in 2019 |
| Children | 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren |
| Will Dispute | Yes, by estranged wife Shawn Southwick |
| Year of Death | 2021 |
| Cause of Death | Not mentioned |
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What You'll Learn
Larry King's history of heart problems
In early April, it was reported that Larry King, the longtime CNN host and media icon, had been hospitalized with a potentially life-threatening condition. King, 87, has a long history of health issues, particularly with his heart, and this latest incident has once again brought attention to his medical struggles.
King has experienced heart problems for decades, and his issues began as early as 1987 when he suffered a major heart attack that required emergency quadruple bypass surgery. This was a serious event, and it is a testament to the skill of his medical team that he survived. Following this, he founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to provide assistance to those without insurance coverage who require life-saving cardiac procedures. King himself has also undergone further heart procedures over the years, including an angioplasty in 1994 and the insertion of stents to open up clogged arteries in 2014 and again in 2019.
In addition to his heart issues, King has also battled lung cancer and has had a long history of type-2 diabetes. He has been very open about his health struggles and has used his platform to raise awareness about these issues. In 2017, for example, he revealed that he had been dealing with type-2 diabetes for over 25 years and encouraged people to get regular check-ups and take care of their health.
King's current hospitalization is reportedly due to issues with his blood pressure and diabetes, which are, of course, closely linked to heart health. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and can lead to coronary artery disease, heart failure, or an increased risk of heart attack, so it is a serious concern. With King's history of heart problems, any issues with his blood pressure and diabetes are of great concern and require immediate medical attention.
It is clear that Larry King has faced an ongoing battle with his health, particularly with his heart. His dedication to raising awareness and helping others who may be in similar situations is commendable and has no doubt helped many people. At this time, his fans and well-wishers around the world are hoping for a speedy recovery and sending their best wishes to this broadcasting legend.
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King's COVID-19 diagnosis
Kings' COVID-19 diagnosis
In January 2021, legendary talk show host Larry King was hospitalized with COVID-19. The 87-year-old had been in the hospital for over a week, causing concern due to his advanced age and history of health problems. King's health issues included Type 2 diabetes, multiple heart attacks, and at least two types of cancer, placing him in a very high-risk group for COVID-19 complications.
King's history of heart problems began in 1987 when he suffered a major heart attack and underwent quintuple bypass surgery. This experience inspired him to establish the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, a non-profit organization providing financial assistance for life-saving cardiac procedures to individuals who could not otherwise afford them. In 2010, King underwent a stent procedure to address issues in his coronary artery, and in 2019, at the age of 83, he underwent angioplasty and the insertion of stents to reopen the previous bypass from 1987.
In addition to his cardiac issues, King had also been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 and lung cancer, for which he underwent surgery.
At the time of his COVID-19 hospitalization, King's doctors expressed optimism, stating that he was in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery.
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The host's divorce from Shawn Southwick
In 1997, Larry King married Shawn Southwick, a singer, actress, and TV host. They wed in King's hospital room three days before he underwent heart surgery. The couple had two children: Chance, born in 1999, and Cannon, born in 2000. In 2010, the couple filed for divorce but later reconciled. However, in 2019, they filed for divorce again. At the time of King's death in 2021, they were estranged and going through divorce proceedings.
There were several reported reasons for the divorce. One source claimed that King's two children from a previous marriage urged him to divorce Southwick because she was allegedly having an affair with their son's baseball coach. There were also allegations that Southwick tried to make King change his will to leave her everything while he was in the hospital. However, sources close to Southwick denied these claims, stating that she was merely following the advice of an estate planning lawyer.
In addition to marital issues, King had a history of health problems, including multiple heart attacks, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. He underwent angioplasty and stent insertion in 2019 and was hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2021. Despite his health issues, King remained dedicated to his career and his charitable work through the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, which he founded after his 1987 heart attack to help facilitate life-saving cardiac procedures for those who could not afford them.
Following King's death, Southwick contested his 2019 handwritten will, which left his estate to his five surviving children. She alleged that King's son, Larry King Jr., had exerted undue influence over his father and that the handwritten will conflicted with a previous will in which she was named executor. Southwick ultimately reached a settlement with King's business management firm in court in 2024.
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King's cardiac foundation
The Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF) was established in 1988 to help individuals who would otherwise be unable to receive life-saving cardiac treatment due to limited financial means or inadequate insurance. The foundation works with hospitals and doctors across the United States to provide these patients with proper medical attention at no charge, with hospitals being compensated only for the materials used.
The LKCF is a non-profit organization funded by Mr. King's books, speaking engagements, and entertainment galas held in major cities like New York City, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. The foundation is affiliated with seven premier cardiac centers across the nation, including Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
In 2005, the LKCF received a $100,000 grant from Eli Lilly and Company to support its ambitious goal of "saving a heart a day." This partnership included a donation of the vital anti-thrombotic medication, ReoPro®, which is used during angioplasty procedures to prevent and diminish blood clots in the heart.
Larry King, the founder of the LKCF, was motivated by his own experience with heart disease. In 1987, he suffered a major heart attack and underwent successful quintuple-bypass surgery. Following this life-changing event, he wrote two books about living with heart disease and established the LKCF to help others facing similar challenges.
Through its work, the LKCF has saved countless lives and given families another chance by providing access to life-saving cardiac care and resources.
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King's cancer diagnosis
In late December 2020, it was reported that Larry King, the renowned American television and radio host, had been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19. This news raised concerns among fans and the media alike, as the veteran broadcaster was known to have faced a series of health issues in the past. However, King's hospitalization during the pandemic brought to light a more pressing concern—his battle with cancer.
In the years following his lung cancer treatment, King appeared to be in good health and continued his work, hosting his show "Larry King Now" on Ora TV, and making appearances on other programs. However, in 2019, rumors began circulating that his health was once again deteriorating. There were reports of King looking frail and having trouble breathing during a baseball game, which sparked concerns about his well-being. At the time, his representatives denied any serious health issues, attributing his breathing difficulties to altitude sickness and the effects of the high-altitude venue.
The COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization in 2020 brought King's health back into the spotlight. While he was treated for the virus, his history of lung cancer and heart problems likely made him more vulnerable to the severe effects of the disease. King's advanced age and pre-existing conditions placed him in a high-risk category, and the hospitalization was a necessary precaution to ensure he received the best care. During his time in the hospital, King reportedly experienced episodes of hallucination, which can be a symptom of COVID-19 in older patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Larry King was in the hospital in 2019 for a scheduled angioplasty. He experienced angina before the procedure and went to the hospital early to be examined.
Larry King was in the hospital in 1997 for heart surgery to clear an occluded blood vessel.
Larry King was in the hospital in 1987 for quintuple bypass surgery after suffering a heart attack.
Larry King was hospitalized in 2021 for COVID-19. Given his advanced age, history of health problems, and being in a very high-risk group for COVID complications, this prompted worry over his condition.
Yes, Larry King had a history of health problems. He suffered multiple heart attacks over the years and battled at least two types of cancer.
