The founder and former CEO of Fox News died suddenly — less than a year after accusations of sexual assault forced him to resign.
Roger Ailes had just turned 77 on Monday.
He died alone in his Garrison, New York home.
His wife was in Palm Beach, Florida at the time of his death.
His wife Elizabeth, with whom he has one 16-year-old son, released the following statement to Matt Drudge:
‘I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning. Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many.
‘He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise—and to give back.
‘During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions.
‘And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life,’ the statement reads.
Ailes had hemophilia, multiple surgeries on his joints, prostate surgery, and was overweight.
When he was 72, Ailes said that he didn’t expect to live much longer.
In an excerpt from the 2013 biography Roger Ailes Off Camera, Ailes said he knew he didn’t have long left to live.
‘My doctor told me that I’m old, fat, and ugly, but none of those things is going to kill me immediately,’ he told the author, Zev Chafets, shortly before his 72nd birthday. ‘The actuaries say I have six to eight years. The best tables give me 10. Three thousand days, more or less.’
He added: ‘I’d give anything for another 10 years.’
Ailes was accused of sexual assault and fostering a misogynistic work environment.
He continually rejected the charges.
Fox News owner, Rupert Murdoch, had wanted to keep Ailes, but his sons, James and Lachlan wanted him gone.
Ailes resigned and received a $40 million payout.
In a letter to Murdoch released at the time, Ailes said: ‘I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry.’
Read more: Daily Mail
Fox News continues to push against the left-wing Media (D) in the same spirit as its controversial founder.
