Rush Limbaugh: A Life of Radio and Activism

Rush Limbaugh has had an illustrious career in radio, with a string of marriages, divorces, and philanthropic efforts. Born on January 12, 1951, Limbaugh began his radio career at just 16 years old under the pseudonym Jeff Christie.

Limbaugh's early life was marked by a series of marriages and divorces. He married Roxy Maxine McNeely in 1977, but they divorced in 1980. In 1983, he married Michelle Sixta, with whom he had two children before divorcing in 1990. His third marriage to Marta Fitzgerald in 1994 ended in divorce in 2004.

Despite his tumultuous personal life, Limbaugh's career has been marked by success. He began hosting a talk show on KFBK in Sacramento in 1984, replacing Morton Downey Jr. In 1988, he launched his own nationally syndicated radio show, The Rush Limbaugh Show, which quickly gained popularity.

Limbaugh has been an outspoken conservative and has used his platform to advocate for various causes. He has been involved with the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation and has enthusiastically collected millions of dollars annually through his EIB Cure-a-Thon charity drive.

In 2008, Limbaugh signed a contract with Clear Channel Communication (now iHeartMedia) worth $400 million plus a $100 million signing bonus. The contract was renewed in 2016 for four more years, although the details of the agreement remain confidential.

Throughout his career, Limbaugh has been open about his finances, stating that he does not earn a salary but rather collects revenue from his show and other ventures. In August 2016, he attempted to clarify a misconception about his earnings, saying that people often throw out numbers without understanding how his business works.

Today, The Rush Limbaugh Show is one of the most listened-to talk shows in the United States, with Limbaugh's nationally syndicated conservative commentary reaching millions of listeners each day. Despite controversies and criticisms over the years, Limbaugh remains a dominant figure in American radio and politics.

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