Profiles of Popular and Extraordinary Radio Personalities
Rush Limbaugh
Born: January 12, 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Personal: Limbaugh was the son of a lawyer and Republican committewoman. In his hometown, he was known as "Rusty". Limbaugh played High School football. Limbaugh graduated Cape Central High School in 1969. In 1994, he married to his third wife, Marta Fitzgerald, whom he met online via CompuServe in 1990. His first marriage was in 1977 to Roxy Maxine McNeely. They divorced less than two years later. In 1983, Limbaugh married Marries Michelle Sixta. She left him Christmas weekend, 1988.
Beginnings: Limbaugh started his radio career at 16 working for a hometown radio station. In 1971, he worked for a short time at KQV in Pittsburgh under the name "Jeff Christie". During the 1970s, Limbaugh worked at various stations including WHB, Kansas City.
For a short time, beginning in 1979, he worked for the Kansas City Royals in public relations. Then, in 1984, he moved on to KFBK-AM in Sacramento where he replaced Morton Downey, Jr. His success there would help to launch his syndication.
Began National syndication: August 1, 1988 and now heard on over 600 stations. His audience is now more than 20 million people each week.
Other interesting moments:
October 8, 2001 - Announces to his audience he is has become for all intents and purposes, deaf.
June, 2002 - Limbaugh enters detox.
November 12, 2003 - It's announced that Rush will return to his show from detox on November 17, 2003
July 2, 2008 - Limbaugh signs a new 8 year/$400 million dollar contract with Clear Channel Radio and Premiere Radio Network
Awards: Marconi Award for Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year, Broadcasting Hall of Fame, National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
