Larry King – Cause of Death, Net Worth, Spouse and Hair Salon Truth
Larry King, born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger, was one of the most recognizable voices in American broadcasting, hosting over 50,000 interviews across 25 years on CNN. He died on January 23, 2021, at the age of 87, from sepsis that his family said was unrelated to the COVID-19 infection that had hospitalized him. Estimates of his net worth at death vary widely, and a separate hair salon brand bearing his name in London adds to the confusion around his legacy.
The broadcaster’s final years were marked by personal loss and legal disputes over his estate. Two of his five children died in 2020, and his widow, Shawn Southwick, contested a handwritten will that left his estate to his surviving children. Meanwhile, a celebrity hairstylist named Larry King operates an upscale salon in Mayfair, London, which has no connection to the talk show host.
What Was Larry King’s Cause of Death?
Quick Overview
- Larry King (1933–2021)
- Cause of death: Sepsis (blood infection) secondary to COVID-19
- Net worth: ~$50 million at death (estimates range from $2 million to $200 million)
- Spouse: Shawn Southwick (m. 1997–2021); 5 children
Key Insights
- King died at age 87 from sepsis, not directly from COVID-19, though his hospital admission was for the virus.
- He was married 8 times to 7 women; his longest marriage was to Shawn Southwick (24 years).
- His net worth was built primarily from his CNN talk show “Larry King Live,” which ran for 25 years.
- The Larry King Hair salon in London is a separate entity owned by a different Larry King (a celebrity stylist), not the broadcaster.
- King hosted over 50,000 interviews, making him one of the most prolific interviewers in television history.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Harvey Zeiger |
| Born | November 19, 1933, Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | January 23, 2021, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles |
| Age at Death | 87 years old |
| Cause of Death | Sepsis due to COVID-19 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $50 million |
| Spouse | Shawn Southwick (m. 1997–2021); 7 other marriages to 6 women |
| Children | 5 (Larry Jr., Chance, Cannon, Kelly, Chaia) |
| Famous For | Host of “Larry King Live” on CNN (1985–2010) |
| Salon Brand | Larry King Hair London (separate entity, unrelated to broadcaster) |
Who Was Larry King’s Spouse and How Many Times Was He Married?
Who was Larry King’s wife?
King’s final spouse was Shawn Southwick, a former singer and actress. They married in 1997, separated in 2010, but never finalized a divorce. Southwick remained his legal spouse at the time of his death. She publicly disputed the cause of death and later contested his will.
How many times was Larry King married?
King married eight times to seven different women. His first marriage to Freda Miller lasted from 1952 to 1953. The others included Annette Kaye (1961–1970), Alene Akins (married twice, 1961–1962 and 1967–1972), Mary Francis Sutcliffe (1963), Sharon Lepore (1976–1983), Julie Alexander (1989–1992), and finally Shawn Southwick.
King’s longest marriage was to Shawn Southwick (24 years). His shortest, to Freda Miller, lasted just one year. Despite the multiple marriages, King described himself as a “romantic” who believed in marriage as an institution.
Who was Larry King’s last wife?
Shawn Southwick was King’s seventh and final wife. They had two sons together, Chance and Cannon. After their separation, Southwick continued to live with King and cared for him in his final years. She was present at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center when he died.
What Was Larry King’s Net Worth and Career Legacy?
What was Larry King’s net worth at death?
Estimates of King’s net worth vary considerably. The most commonly cited figure is around $50 million, accumulated through his CNN salary, radio shows, and later ventures with Hulu and RT America. However, his estate in probate was valued at only $2 million, partly because King had given away much of his wealth during his lifetime. Some retrospective analyses from 2026 place the value of his media brand as high as $180–$200 million.
The wide range in net worth estimates stems from different valuation methods. Probate records reflect liquid assets at death, while brand valuations include future earning potential of his name and library of interviews. Neither figure is wrong, but they represent different things.
What was Larry King’s most famous interview?
Among King’s most memorable interviews were those with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, and every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama. His 1992 debate between Ross Perot and Al Gore is also noted as a historic television moment. King’s style was non-confrontational, letting guests speak without interruption.
How did Larry King start his career?
King began in radio at the age of 23, working as a disc jockey and cleaner at WAHR in Miami Beach. He soon moved to WJNO for morning interviews. In 1978, he launched a nationally syndicated radio talk show on Mutual Broadcasting System, which led to his CNN opportunity in 1985.
Who Are Larry King’s Children?
How many children did Larry King have?
King had five biological children. Two died before him: Philip (born 1966) and Andrew (born 1963) both passed away in 2020. Three survived him: Cheryl (born 1957 from his marriage to Alene Akins), and Chance and Cannon (born 1999 and 2000 with Shawn Southwick).
What are the names of Larry King’s children?
His children are Larry King Jr. (sometimes referred to as Larry Jr.), Kelly, Chaia, Chance, and Cannon. The names Kelly and Chaia are from earlier marriages. King also had a stepdaughter from Southwick’s previous marriage, which sometimes leads to reports of six children.
What Is the Larry King Hair Salon Brand?
Is Larry King Hair a real salon?
Yes, Larry King Hair is a real, high-end hair salon located in Mayfair, London. However, it is owned and operated by a celebrity stylist named Larry King, not the broadcaster. The stylist Larry King has built a reputation working with British royalty and celebrities.
Where is Larry King Hair salon located?
The salon is at 27 South Molton Street, Mayfair, London. It offers hair cutting, coloring, and styling services and is known for its premium clientele.
Who owns Larry King Hair London?
The salon is owned by Larry King, a British hairstylist who has been in the industry for decades. He is a Dyson brand ambassador and has no personal or professional connection to the late talk show host.
Many people searching for “Larry King hair” are actually looking for information about the talk show host. The salon brand is a separate entity entirely. To find the broadcaster, use search terms like “Larry King CNN” or “Larry King net worth.”
Timeline: Key Events in Larry King’s Life
- 1933: Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, NY.
- 1957: First radio job at WMBM in Miami after changing his name to Larry King.
- 1978: National radio show debut on Mutual Broadcasting System.
- 1985: Launch of “Larry King Live” on CNN.
- 1997: Married Shawn Southwick, his final spouse.
- 2010: Ended “Larry King Live” after 25 years.
- 2021: Died at age 87 from sepsis due to COVID-19.
What Do We Know for Certain and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date and cause of death (January 23, 2021, sepsis due to COVID-19) | Exact net worth at death varies by source (from $2 million estate to $200 million brand valuation) |
| Number of marriages: 8 times to 7 women | Total number of children sometimes reported as 5 or 6 due to a stepdaughter |
| Larry King Hair salon is a separate brand in London | Early career details, such as the exact start date at WMBM, differ slightly among sources |
| He hosted “Larry King Live” for 25 years (1985–2010) | Whether his sepsis was entirely unrelated to COVID-19 remains disputed by his family |
Understanding Larry King’s Dual Legacy
Larry King’s death from complications of COVID-19 in early 2021 spotlighted the pandemic’s impact on the elderly. His career as a talk show host made him a household name, known for a gentle interviewing style that drew out stories from celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people. In contrast, the separate Larry King Hair salon in London continues to cause search confusion, with many people assuming the broadcaster ventured into the beauty industry. No evidence exists that he ever owned or worked in a hair salon.
King’s modest net worth relative to other media moguls reflects his focus on journalism rather than commercial ventures. He often said, “I never learned anything while I was talking,” a philosophy that defined his approach to interviews. His legacy endures through the thousands of interviews archived online.
Key Sources and Quotes
“I never learned anything while I was talking.”
— Larry King, reflecting on his interview style
Authoritative sources for this article include the Wikipedia biography of Larry King, the CNN obituary published on January 23, 2021, and the official Ora Media Facebook statement confirming his death. Financial estimates are drawn from Celebrity Net Worth and the Los Angeles Trust Law analysis of his estate. Details about the salon come from the Larry King Hair London official website.
Final Overview
Larry King remains a towering figure in broadcast journalism, remembered for his longevity and distinctive style. His death at 87 from sepsis after a COVID-19 infection closed a chapter that spanned more than 60 years of media history. For those exploring his financial background, the Larry King Net Worth page provides detailed breakdowns, while the Larry King Legacy and Estate article covers the legal disputes surrounding his will. Meanwhile, the London salon bearing his name continues to thrive, serving an entirely different clientele.
Frequently Asked Questions About Larry King
What was Larry King’s real name?
His birth name was Lawrence Harvey Zeiger. He changed it to Larry King in 1957 after a CBS announcer suggested it.
Did Larry King have any siblings?
Yes, he had a younger brother named Martin Zeiger, who worked in real estate and passed away before Larry.
What awards did Larry King win?
He won a Peabody Award in 1992, several Emmy Awards, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom nomination. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
How many interviews did Larry King conduct?
Estimates range from 50,000 to over 60,000 interviews across his radio and television career.
What was Larry King’s first job in media?
His first media job was as a cleaner and disc jockey at radio station WAHR in Miami Beach in 1957.
Was Larry King married at the time of his death?
Yes, he was legally married to Shawn Southwick, though they had been separated since 2010.
Where is Larry King buried?
He is interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Did Larry King own a hair salon?
No. The Larry King Hair salon in London is owned by a different Larry King, a celebrity stylist.
What health issues did Larry King have before his death?
He had heart disease, diabetes, and lung cancer (he was a longtime smoker). He survived a heart attack in 1987.
How old was Larry King when he started at CNN?
He was 51 years old when “Larry King Live” premiered in June 1985.
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