| Years |
Age |
Events |
| 1951 |
0 |
Born on January 12 in Cape Girardeau, MO, into a family of lawyers and conservative figures. |
| 1969 |
18 |
Graduates from high school, showing early interest in radio, receiving his first radio at age eight. |
| 1971 |
20 |
Starts working as a DJ in McKeesport, PA, under the name “Bachelor Jeff Christie,” beginning his radio career. |
| 1972 |
21 |
Fired for controversial comments, telling a black caller to “take the bone out of your nose and call again,” marking early controversies. |
| 1973 |
22 |
Works in radio in Kansas City, facing multiple firings for differences with management, considering himself a “moderate failure.” |
| 1977 |
26 |
Marries Roxy McNeely, a radio sales executive, on an unspecified date, first of four marriages. |
| 1980 |
29 |
Divorces Roxy McNeely, ending a three-year marriage, focusing on career. |
| 1983 |
32 |
Marries Michelle Sixta Wennerholm, second marriage, on an unspecified date. |
| 1984 |
33 |
Starts The Rush Limbaugh Show in Sacramento, CA, on August 1, marking the beginning of his talk show career. |
| 1988 |
37 |
Show goes nationally syndicated on August 1, by ABC Radio Network, reaching over 56 stations initially. |
| 1990 |
39 |
Divorces Michelle Sixta Wennerholm, ending seven-year marriage, amid rising fame. |
| 1992 |
41 |
Starts a TV show on September 12, “The Rush Limbaugh Show,” and publishes “The Way Things Ought to Be,” his first book, a bestseller. |
| 1993 |
42 |
Publishes “See, I Told You So,” another bestseller, solidifying his author status. |
| 1994 |
43 |
Marries Marta Maranda on May 27, third marriage, and publishes “The Rush Limbaugh Letter Presents the Most Dangerous Environmental Hoax.” |
| 1995 |
44 |
Publishes “Like It or Not! The Greatest Hits of Rush Limbaugh,” a collection of his radio highlights. |
| 1996 |
45 |
TV show ends on September 6, after four seasons, due to low ratings, publishes “The Way Things Really Are.” |
| 1999 |
48 |
Publishes “The Best of Rush Limbaugh,” another compilation, amid continued radio success. |
| 2003 |
52 |
Arrested for prescription drug fraud on June 9, facing charges related to obtaining painkillers, a major controversy. |
| 2004 |
53 |
Separates from Marta Maranda, marking the end of their ten-year marriage, on an unspecified date. |
| 2005 |
54 |
Pleads guilty on April 28, pays fine, goes to rehabilitation for addiction, resolving legal issues. |
| 2006 |
55 |
Divorces Marta Maranda, finalizing on December 11, after separation. |
| 2010 |
59 |
Marries Kathryn Adams on June 5, fourth marriage, and publishes “Rush Revere and the American Revolution,” starting children’s book series. |
| 2012 |
61 |
Publishes “Rush Revere and the First Patriot,” second in the children’s series, continuing literary output. |
| 2013 |
62 |
Publishes “Rush Revere and the Loyalists,” third children’s book, amid ongoing radio show. |
| 2014 |
63 |
Publishes “Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner,” fourth children’s book, expanding his audience. |
| 2020 |
69 |
Diagnosed with lung cancer in February, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom on February 4 by President Trump, during State of the Union. |
| 2021 |
70 |
Dies on February 17 from lung cancer, at age 70, in Palm Beach, FL, ending a 33-year radio career, legacy debated. |
