Wednesday 3 March 2021

'He was just shy of a president': Widow of conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh opens up about losing her husband to cancer as she describes his 'stunning' funeral

 The widow of conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has opened up about losing him after he passed away due to complications with lung cancer. 

Limbaugh, 70, passed away on February 17 and was laid to rest on February 24.  

Kathryn Limbaugh praised her late husband during an interview on his eponymous radio show, saying that 'he was just shy of a president.' 

Rush Limbaugh pictured embracing his wife in February 2020. Limbaugh, 70, passed away on February 1 due to complications with lung cancer

Rush Limbaugh pictured embracing his wife in February 2020. Limbaugh, 70, passed away on February 1 due to complications with lung cancer 

Radio personality Rush Limbaugh and wife Kathryn attend the State of the Union address with First Lady Melania Trump in February last year

Radio personality Rush Limbaugh and wife Kathryn attend the State of the Union address with First Lady Melania Trump in February last year 

Speaking to guest host Todd Herman, she said: 'I’m doing okay. Of course, it’s a very difficult time. 


'But I really, truly feel we are all going through this process together, and it’s very much a process. 

'And I think it helps us to all be together and grieve in a sense and keep our Rush with us in that way.'

Speaking about his funeral, she said:  'It was an absolutely gorgeous day, slightly chilly, but nothing like the snow that Missouri had had a few days prior. The sun was shining brightly and the really crisp air, and this cemetery is very historic. 

'It has a lot of historic figures such as William Clark of Lewis and Clark expedition and others.

'And just to picture it, it might remind you a bit of Arlington or other historic cemeteries around the world, with winding hills and pathways and big trees that are bare right now but in the upcoming months they will be full and green and very lovely to walk around. 

Kathryn praised her late husband (pictured) during an interview on his namesake radio show. saying that 'he was just shy of a president'

Kathryn praised her late husband (pictured) during an interview on his namesake radio show. saying that 'he was just shy of a president'


'But as I said in that clip, I’ve always said Rush is just shy of a president, in my opinion.'

She added that once they arrived at the cemetery 'there was a horse-drawn carriage waiting for him, and it was simply stunning'.

When asked about when she knew she was falling in love with him when they first started dating, Kathryn said: 'I would say right away, the first time that we went out for dinner. I spoke about that last time, but when we went out to dinner, he just was so incredibly well spoken, as you can imagine. 

'He was a gentleman. He was kind, but also, he was very funny.' 

Kathryn married Limbaugh in 2010 after the couple had been dating for three years. He had been married three times previously. 

Limbaugh, the radio icon and 'voice of American conservatism', died aged 70, following a year-long battle with lung cancer. 

Limbaugh, who was diagnosed with Stage IV advanced lung cancer back in February 2020, hosted his last radio show on February 2, during which he revealed another host was on standby in case his health deteriorated. 

In his final Facebook post that linked to segments of the last broadcast, Limbaugh took aim at Joe Biden for canceling a 'major foreign policy speech' because of two inches of snow.

His family shared a tribute to him on Facebook on the Wednesday after his death was first announced by Kathryn on his radio show.

'I know that I am most certainly not the Limbaugh that you tuned in to listen to today,' Kathryn, who was married to Limbaugh for a decade, told his viewers.

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh died, aged 70, following a battle with lung cancer

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh died, aged 70, following a battle with lung cancer

'I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone right now, welcoming you to another exceptional three hours of broadcasting. It is with profound sadness I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer.'

Unflinchingly conservative, wildly partisan, bombastically self-promoting and larger than life, Limbaugh galvanized listeners for more than 30 years.

His radio show became nationally syndicated in 1988 and quickly built a large and committed following, making him wealthy in the process. 

Forbes magazine estimated his 2018 income at $84 million, ranking him behind only Howard Stern among radio personalities. 

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