Few broadcasters became as woven into American life as Larry King, the suspenders-wearing host who spent 25 years grilling everyone from presidents to pop stars on CNN. His death in January 2021 at age 87 closed a chapter in television history, but it also opened a complicated one involving his estate, his handwritten will, and a family dispute over what he left behind.

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Born: November 19, 1933 ·
Died: January 23, 2021 ·
Known for: Larry King Live ·
Net worth at death: Approx. $50 million ·
Number of marriages: 8 (to 7 women) ·
Children: 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact final net worth varies by source ($50M–$144M range) (Aussie Insightly)
  • Full details of the will beyond the $2M probate estate not fully public (People)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Estate dispute over handwritten will continues in probate court (Talbot Law PC)
  • Son Larry King Jr. challenged administrator appointment (People)

Six key facts about Larry King’s life and legacy at a glance:

Label Value
Full name Lawrence Harvey Zeiger
Occupation Talk show host, radio host, author
Years active 1957–2020
Most famous show Larry King Live (CNN)
Net worth at death Approx. $50 million
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)

What Did Larry King Pass Away From?

What was Larry King’s cause of death?

Larry King died on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 87, as reported by FOX 5 via YouTube. The cause of death was sepsis due to COVID-19, according to Sowards Law Firm. He had been hospitalized with COVID-19 in December 2020 and battled multiple underlying health conditions, including diabetes and prostate cancer.

What disease did Larry King have in 1987?

In 1987, King suffered a heart attack and underwent quintuple bypass surgery, a major health crisis that became a defining moment in his personal narrative. Wikipedia notes this event as a turning point that led him to take his health more seriously, though he continued to face serious illnesses in the decades that followed.

The upshot

King’s death from a COVID-19 complication, after surviving a heart attack and cancer, underscores how a lifetime of health battles ended with a single infection. For his family, the medical cause was clear — but the legal aftermath was just beginning.

Why Was Larry King So Famous?

What was Larry King’s talk show called?

King hosted Larry King Live on CNN for 25 years, from 1985 to 2010. During that run, he conducted over 50,000 interviews, as documented by Wikipedia. His signature suspenders and direct, non-confrontational questioning style made him instantly recognizable.

How long did Larry King host his show?

His CNN show ran for a quarter-century, but his career began much earlier — in radio in Miami in the late 1950s. Wikipedia traces his start to 1957, when he began working at a small Miami station, eventually building a national audience through his syndicated radio program before CNN gave him a nightly television platform.

Why this matters

King’s 50,000-plus interviews — from world leaders to celebrities — made him a singular figure in American media. His approach was simple: ask the question the viewer wanted answered, then listen. That formula turned him into a household name.

What Is Larry King’s Net Worth?

How much money did Larry King leave in his will?

King’s net worth at death was estimated at approximately $50 million, according to Aussie Insightly, though some reports placed the figure as high as $144 million. The probate estate — the portion subject to his will — was far smaller: about $2 million, as reported by People. The rest of his wealth was held in trusts, which pass outside of probate.

Who did Larry King leave his money to?

King’s handwritten will, created in October 2019, divided the $2 million probate estate equally among his five children, according to Wasinger Law Office. His estranged wife, Shawn Southwick, was cut out of the will entirely. The will was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in February 2021, as noted by Palmer & Slay, PLLC.

Bottom line: Larry King’s $50 million lifetime wealth was largely shielded from probate by trusts. His children: the $2 million probate estate is theirs. Shawn Southwick: she received nothing under the handwritten will.

How Much Older Was Larry King Than His Wife?

Did Larry King leave his wife anything in his will?

King was 26 years older than his seventh wife, Shawn Southwick. They married in 1997 and separated in 2019. King cited the age gap and religious differences as taking a toll on the marriage, according to a 2019 interview. Southwick was disinherited in the handwritten will, a decision that sparked legal challenges from her side, as reported by Wagner Sidlofsky LLP.

How many times was Larry King married?

King had eight marriages to seven women total. Wagner Sidlofsky LLP notes that his marital history was a frequent topic in the press, with each union adding layers to his public persona.

The implication: King’s age gap with Southwick became a flashpoint in the estate dispute, with the handwritten will serving as his final word on the matter — a word that left his widow fighting for a share.

Did Larry King Support Trump? Was He in Shrek?

What were Larry King’s political views?

King described himself as a registered independent with sometimes liberal leanings. He interviewed Donald Trump many times over the years but did not endorse him, according to Wikipedia. His political identity was less about partisanship and more about curiosity — he wanted to talk to everyone.

Did Larry King appear in the movie Shrek?

Yes — King voiced a character in Shrek 2 (2004) as the “Ugly Stepsister,” a cameo that delighted fans. He also appeared in other films including Ghostbusters and Contact, as noted by Wikipedia.

The paradox

King, who interviewed every U.S. president from Nixon to Obama, was also the voice of a cartoon stepsister. That range — from serious political discourse to pop culture absurdity — defined his appeal.

Timeline: Key Events in Larry King’s Life

  • November 19, 1933: Larry King born in Brooklyn, New York
  • 1957: Began radio career in Miami
  • 1985: Launched Larry King Live on CNN
  • 1987: Suffered heart attack, underwent quintuple bypass surgery
  • 1997: Diagnosed with prostate cancer
  • 2010: Retired from Larry King Live
  • January 23, 2021: Died of sepsis due to COVID-19 at age 87

Confirmed Facts vs. What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Cause of death was sepsis due to COVID-19, confirmed by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Sowards Law Firm)
  • Net worth was approximately $50 million as reported by multiple credible sources (Aussie Insightly)
  • He died on January 23, 2021 at age 87 (FOX 5 via YouTube)
  • He was born on November 19, 1933 (Wikipedia)
  • He had a heart attack in 1987 and underwent bypass surgery (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact final net worth figure varies slightly by source due to ongoing estate valuation (Aussie Insightly)
  • Full details of his will beyond the disinheritance of his wife are not fully public (People)

Key Quotes

“Larry King passed away peacefully this morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.”

— Ora Media statement, January 23, 2021 (FOX 5 via YouTube)

“The age gap and religious differences took a toll on the marriage.”

— Larry King, 2019 interview

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Larry King and are reviewing the will.”

— Shawn Southwick family statement (Wagner Sidlofsky LLP)

Summary

Larry King’s life was a study in contrasts: a Brooklyn-born radio kid who became America’s most prolific interviewer, a man who survived a heart attack and cancer only to die from a virus, and a wealthy figure whose $2 million probate will sparked a family fight. The pattern is clear: King’s children must now decide whether to accept the handwritten will’s equal split or continue a legal battle that has already consumed years of their lives.

Additional sources

rameyflock.com, aussieinsightly.com, losangelestrustlaw.com, people.com, baronfamilylaw.com, talbotlawpc.com

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Frequently asked questions

What was Larry King’s cause of death?

Larry King died of sepsis due to COVID-19 on January 23, 2021, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

How many times was Larry King married?

He was married eight times to seven women. His last wife was Shawn Southwick, whom he married in 1997 and separated from in 2019.

Did Larry King have any children?

Yes, he had five children: Larry Jr., Andy, Chaia, Chance, and Cannon. Andy and Chaia died in 2020 before their father.

What was Larry King’s net worth at death?

His net worth was estimated at approximately $50 million, though the probate estate was about $2 million, with the rest held in trusts.

Who did Larry King leave his money to?

His handwritten will divided the $2 million probate estate equally among his five children. His estranged wife Shawn Southwick was cut out of the will.

Why was Larry King so famous?

He hosted Larry King Live on CNN for 25 years, conducting over 50,000 interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and newsmakers.

Was Larry King in any movies?

Yes, he voiced the “Ugly Stepsister” in Shrek 2 (2004) and appeared in Ghostbusters and Contact.

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