Few broadcasters felt as familiar as Larry King — the suspenders, the gravelly voice, the way he leaned in and let his guests talk. He spent decades asking the questions millions wanted answered, but behind the microphone, his own life was just as layered.

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Born: November 19, 1933 ·
Died: January 23, 2021 ·
Age at death: 87 ·
Number of marriages: 7 ·
Number of children: 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Died from sepsis on January 23, 2021 (Entertainment Tonight)
  • Married seven times to six women (ABC News)
  • Left entire estate to five children, excluding wife (TMZ)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Estate settlement after will dispute resolved privately (TMZ)
  • Continued legacy through Ora Media and archived interviews (TMZ)

The implication: seven key facts, one pattern — King’s public persona was steady, but his private life was anything but.

Label Value
Full Name Lawrence Harvey Zeiger
Born November 19, 1933
Died January 23, 2021
Occupation TV/radio host, author
Spouses 7
Children 5
Notable Show Larry King Live

What did Larry King pass away from?

Larry King died on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His death certificate, reported by Entertainment Tonight, listed the immediate cause as sepsis.

What underlying health conditions did he have?

  • King had a history of heart disease, lung cancer, and type 2 diabetes, according to Wikipedia.
  • In 2019, he suffered a stroke that affected mobility in his left foot and sometimes required a wheelchair, per ABC News.

How did COVID-19 affect him?

King was hospitalized for severe COVID-19 on January 2, 2021, and moved out of the ICU before his condition changed. His wife, Shawn Southwick King, told Entertainment Tonight that he “beat” COVID-19 but then died from an unrelated sepsis infection. The End Sepsis organization quoted her confirming the sepsis was unrelated to the virus.

The paradox

King survived a global pandemic only to be taken by a bacterial infection his body couldn’t fight — a reminder that underlying health conditions often decide the final outcome more than the initial diagnosis.

The implication: King’s death was not a single event but a cascade — COVID weakened him, and his pre-existing conditions left no room for recovery from sepsis.

Why was Larry King so famous?

Larry King hosted CNN’s Larry King Live from 1985 to 2010, conducting over 50,000 interviews with everyone from world leaders to Hollywood stars. His simple, direct questioning style — no gotchas, no grandstanding — made guests comfortable enough to open up.

What made his interview style unique?

  • King famously wore suspenders and asked short, open-ended questions, letting guests fill the silence.
  • He won a Peabody Award and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, according to Wikipedia.

How long did he host Larry King Live?

Twenty-five years — from 1985 to 2010. After leaving CNN, he co-founded Ora Media and continued hosting Larry King Now until his death.

Why this matters

King’s approach — ask less, listen more — became the template for a generation of interviewers. In an era of confrontational cable news, he proved that curiosity beats aggression.

The pattern: King’s fame rested not on being the smartest person in the room, but on being the most curious one.

Who did Larry King leave his money to?

King’s will, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and reported by TMZ, left his entire estate to his five children — Larry Jr., Chance, Cannon, and daughters Chaia and Kelly. His seventh wife, Shawn King, was excluded entirely.

How much money did Larry King leave his wife?

Nothing — at least not in the will. Shawn King contested the estate, but the dispute was later settled privately. Terms were not disclosed. Estimates of King’s net worth at death ranged from $50 million to $100 million, though exact figures remain unverified.

What was the legal dispute over his will?

Shawn King filed a legal challenge arguing she was entitled to spousal support and a share of the estate. The case was resolved out of court, avoiding a public trial. TMZ reported that the children received the bulk of the assets.

The catch

For Shawn King, the marriage ended with no inheritance — a stark reminder that in California, a will can override spousal expectations if properly drafted and executed.

What this means: King’s final act was a family decision that prioritized his children over his wife, and the legal system upheld it.

How much older was Larry King than his wife?

Larry King was 26 years older than his seventh wife, Shawn Southwick King. He was 64 when they married in 1997; she was 38. The age gap was a frequent topic in tabloids and interviews.

Why did Cheryl leave Larry?

Cheryl King, his sixth wife, divorced him after 10 years of marriage. Public statements at the time cited irreconcilable differences. King himself acknowledged in interviews that his work schedule and multiple marriages made long-term relationships difficult.

Why did Larry King marry so many times?

King was married seven times to six women (he married twice to one of them). He once joked that he “kept trying until he got it right.” Biographers point to a pattern: King married quickly, often within months of meeting, and the relationships burned hot before cooling into divorce.

  • First wife: Freda Miller (1952–1953)
  • Second wife: Annette Kaye (1961–1961)
  • Third wife: Alene Akins (1961–1963, remarried 1967–1972)
  • Fourth wife: Mickey Sutphin (1963–1967)
  • Fifth wife: Sharon Lepore (1976–1983)
  • Sixth wife: Julie Alexander (1989–1992)
  • Seventh wife: Shawn Southwick (1997–2021, separated at death)

The pattern: King’s romantic life mirrored his career — restless, driven, and always looking for the next connection.

Did Larry King support Trump?

Larry King was known for his political independence. He interviewed Donald Trump multiple times on Larry King Live and maintained a professional relationship with him, but he never publicly endorsed Trump for president.

What were his political leanings?

King described himself as a registered Democrat but often said he voted for candidates across the aisle. He interviewed every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama, and his show was a platform for both liberal and conservative voices.

Did he interview Donald Trump?

Yes — multiple times. Trump appeared on Larry King Live as a businessman and later as a political figure. King’s approach was the same with Trump as with any guest: ask, listen, move on.

The pattern: King’s political identity was less about ideology and more about access — he wanted to talk to everyone, not pick sides.

Timeline

  • 1933: Born in Brooklyn, New York
  • 1957: First radio job at WMBM in Miami
  • 1985: Launches Larry King Live on CNN
  • 2010: Final episode of Larry King Live
  • 2021: Dies from sepsis complications

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Death from sepsis on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Will excluded his wife Shawn King, leaving estate to five children
  • Married seven times to six women
  • Hosted Larry King Live for 25 years
  • Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger on November 19, 1933

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth at death (estimates range from $50M to $100M)
  • Specific reasons for some divorces beyond public statements
  • Full terms of the will settlement with Shawn King

Quotes

“He beat COVID, but the infection that took him was unrelated. It was sepsis.”

— Shawn Southwick King, speaking to Entertainment Tonight

“He was a great father. He taught us to be curious, to ask questions, and to never stop learning.”

— Larry King Jr., in a family statement reported by ABC News

Summary

Larry King lived a life of contradictions: a man who asked millions of questions but kept his own answers close, who married seven times but ended his final chapter alone in a hospital bed. For his children, the inheritance was a final gift — but for his widow, the marriage ended with no inheritance and a legal battle.

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Frequently asked questions

What was Larry King’s real name?

Lawrence Harvey Zeiger. He changed it to Larry King early in his radio career.

How many children did Larry King have?

Five: sons Larry Jr., Chance, and Cannon, and daughters Chaia and Kelly.

Where was Larry King buried?

Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Did Larry King ever win a Peabody Award?

Yes, he won a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting.

Which president did Larry King interview most?

He interviewed every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama, with Bill Clinton appearing most frequently.

What was Larry King’s favorite interview?

King often cited his interview with Frank Sinatra as one of his most memorable.

How long did Larry King work at CNN?

25 years, from 1985 to 2010.

Did Larry King have any siblings?

He had one brother, Marty Zeiger, who died in 2019.

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