Photo: Instagram @larrykingnow
Cover Photo: Instagram @larrykingnow

The iconic king of talk who helped define broadcast interviews leaves behind a wealth of words

Long-time CNN host Larry King, one of the most prominent faces on television, died on Saturday, January 23, 2021, after a weeks-long battle with Covid-19. He was 87. The news was announced his official Twitter account by the company he co-founded, Ora Media.

King, who is recognised by his trademark suspenders and black-rimmed glasses, became an icon through his ‘easy-breezy’ approach to the Q&A interview format with a score of newsmakers.

In his 25 years with CNN, the multiple award-winning talk show titan hosted more than 30,000 interviews, from movie stars to athletes to every sitting president from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama. His genuine curiosity for people and the world, and the way he always listened intently to his guests without interruptions, be it a celebrity or an everyday person, was endearing to many.

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He retired in 2010 after taping more than 6,000 episodes of Larry King Live.

"Larry was one of my closest and dearest friends and, in my opinion, the world's greatest broadcast journalist of all time," CNN founder Ted Turner said in a statement. "If anyone asked me what are my greatest career achievements in life, one is the creation of CNN, and the other is hiring Larry King. Like so many who worked with and knew Larry, he was a consummate professional, an amazing mentor to many and a good friend to all. The world has lost a true legend."

"He was an amazing father, and he was fiercely loyal to those lucky enough to call him a friend. We will miss him every single day of our lives," King's children wrote in an Instagram post.

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Here are some of his most powerful quotes, through which King’s legacy will live on:

The first rule of my speaking is: listen!

I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.

Those who have succeeded at anything and don't mention luck are kidding themselves.

The secret of success is an absolute ungovernable curiosity.

There is nothing in your destiny, nothing in your future that you cannot accomplish.

You cannot talk to people successfully if they think you are not interested in what they have to say or you have no respect for them.

If you do something, expect consequences

You make your own luck. Luck is the residue of design.

It’s joyful to give. But for people who want to take advantage of you, you’re kind of an easy mark.

Last but not least, King signing off from Larry King Live for the very last time:

I don't know what to say, except to you, my audience, thank you. And instead of goodbye, how about so long.

So long, Larry King. May you rest in peace.

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