Larry King: Death, Net Worth, Career and Family

The suspenders, the voice, the simple question asked more than 6,000 times — Larry King shaped how America talked to itself for five decades. This is the full story, from his rise on CNN to his passing at 87, with verified facts on his cause of death, estate, and the marriages that made headlines.

Full name: Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger) ·
Born: November 19, 1933 ·
Died: January 23, 2021 ·
Age at death: 87 ·
Known for: Larry King Live on CNN (1985–2010)

Eight biographical facts, one pattern: a life packed with milestones that started in Brooklyn and ended in a Los Angeles hospital.

What Did Larry King Pass Away From?

The official cause of death was sepsis, a severe response to an infection, following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Larry King was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (CBC News, Canada’s national public broadcaster) in late December 2020 after testing positive for the coronavirus. His longtime production company, Ora Media, confirmed he died there on January 23, 2021.

Where did Larry King die?

He died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a major Los Angeles hospital, after a brief stay. Initial reports announced his death before the specific medical causes were disclosed to the public.

• Hospital: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles (CBC News)
• Confirmed by: Ora Media

What was Larry King’s age at death?

Larry King was 87 years old. He was born on November 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of his passing, he had recently battled health issues, including heart disease and lung cancer, but sepsis from COVID-19 was the immediate cause.

The pattern: King’s death accelerated public scrutiny of his probate estate, as two of his children had predeceased him within weeks of each other in 2020.

Why Was Larry King So Famous?

Larry King was a household name due to his long-running interview show, Larry King Live, on CNN. He hosted the program from June 3, 1985, until December 2010 — a run that produced over 6,000 episodes (BBC News). His signature suspenders, direct questions, and non-confrontational style set him apart in a sea of opinionated cable news hosts.

What was Larry King’s most famous show?

• Show: Larry King Live on CNN
• Duration: 25 years (1985–2010)
• Guests included: Every sitting U.S. president from Nixon to Obama, celebrities like Marlon Brando, and world leaders

His style was simple: ask short, straightforward questions and let the guest talk. This made him the go-to interviewer for breaking news moments and human interest stories alike.

How long did Larry King host Larry King Live?

About 25 and a half years. The show premiered on June 3, 1985, and the final episode aired in December 2010. After leaving CNN, King hosted Larry King Now on Hulu and RT America until his health declined.

The catch: King’s refusal to be confrontational made him the most-watched interviewer in the world, but it also meant he rarely challenged powerful guests on uncomfortable facts.

Who Did Larry King Leave His Money To?

Larry King’s 2019 handwritten will reportedly left his estate to his five surviving children. The probate estate connected to that will was reported at about $2 million (Page Six, US entertainment news) — a figure much lower than the net worth estimates rumored in the press. His ex-wife Shawn Southwick later contested the will in court.

How much was Larry King’s net worth?

Estimates varied wildly. Some outlets, including Biography.com (authoritative biographical reference), placed his net worth at around $50 million. Others, like legal analysis sites, speculated it could have been as high as $144 million (Palmer Slay Law, US probate law firm). The gap between the probate estate ($2M) and those estimates suggests King held significant assets outside probate — in trusts, jointly owned property, or other vehicles.

Eight figures, one pattern: the public narrative of King’s wealth diverges sharply from the legal reality of his estate.

What happened to Larry King’s estate?

After his death, Larry King Jr., along with his siblings Chance and Cannon, filed to administer the estate. Shawn Southwick contested the handwritten will, arguing that King lacked capacity when he signed it. The dispute centered on personal belongings — including King’s awards and memorabilia — as well as the distribution of financial assets.

How Long Was Billie Jean King Married to Larry King?

Larry King was married to tennis legend Billie Jean King from 1987 to 1990 — about five years. The marriage was notable because Billie Jean King was already a prominent activist for gender equality in sports, and their union brought together two very public figures. Larry King was married eight times to seven different women (BBC News).

Who is Billie Jean King’s partner now?

Billie Jean King is now in a long-term relationship with Ilana Kloss, a former professional tennis player and coach. They have been partners since the early 2000s and married in 2018. Kloss is also the CEO of Billie Jean King Enterprises.

How many children did Larry King have?

Larry King had five biological children: Larry King Jr., Andy, Chaia, Chance, and Cannon. His son Andy and daughter Chaia (from his marriage to Alene Akins) both died in 2020, just weeks apart. The two youngest, Chance and Cannon, were from his marriage to Shawn Southwick.

• Children with Alene Akins: Andy (died 2020), Chaia (died 2020)
• Children with Shawn Southwick: Chance, Cannon
• Eldest son: Larry King Jr. (from marriage to Freda Miller)

How old was Larry King when he fathered his last child?

Larry King was 66 years old when his son Cannon was born in 2000. His youngest child, Cannon, is now an adult. King’s age at fatherhood drew media attention, especially given his history of heart conditions.

The pattern: King’s late-life fatherhood, combined with his multiple marriages and the deaths of two adult children in 2020, created a complex and emotionally charged family dynamic that shaped the probate fight.

Does Larry King Support Donald Trump?

Larry King described himself as a political independent and interviewed Donald Trump several times over the years. He expressed some support for Trump in certain interviews but also criticized him. King’s non-confrontational style meant he rarely took a hard editorial stance on air, but privately he acknowledged the complexity of Trump’s appeal to voters.

• King interviewed Trump multiple times on Larry King Live
• He identified as an independent, not a Republican or Democrat
• He criticized Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in his final year

The trade-off: By refusing to pick a side, King maintained relationships across the political spectrum, but at the cost of ever being seen as a voice of strong moral conviction.

“Larry King was a giant of broadcasting whose voice was a trusted companion for millions of viewers across the globe for decades.”

— Ora Media, official statement on his death

“He was a master of the simple question — the one that lets the guest reveal themselves. That’s a harder skill than it looks.”

— CNN tribute, reflecting on his interview technique

Larry King’s legacy is not just his 6,000 interviews or his signature suspenders — it’s the paradox of a man who asked all the questions but kept his own answers deliberately brief. For fans of American broadcasting, the takeaway is clear: King’s warmth and curiosity opened doors that aggression could not. For those managing celebrity estates, the lesson is just as pointed: a handwritten will in the shadow of a $50 million net worth is a recipe for family turmoil that the public will watch unfold.

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