The True Story: 7 Major Health Battles That Led To Larry King's Cause Of Death

As of today, December 18, 2025, the official and confirmed cause of death for legendary broadcaster Larry King is sepsis. This immediate cause, listed on his death certificate, followed a series of severe health complications including acute hypoxic respiratory failure and end-stage kidney failure. While the public initially connected his passing to a recent hospitalization for COVID-19, the official documents paint a more complex picture of a life-long battle against numerous, life-threatening medical conditions that ultimately overwhelmed his system at the age of 87. The talk show icon, known for his signature suspenders and straightforward interviewing style on CNN’s *Larry King Live*, had been a public figure for decades, but his private struggles with health were equally well-documented. His final days at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles concluded a remarkable life and career, but also a decades-long medical odyssey that saw him defy death multiple times, making his ultimate cause of death a matter of intense public curiosity and medical analysis.

Larry King: A Life and Career in Profile

Larry King was a titan of American broadcasting, conducting an estimated 50,000 interviews over a career spanning more than six decades. His unique, non-confrontational approach and curiosity made him one of the most recognizable voices in media history.

• Full Name: Lawrence Harvey Zeiger
• Born: November 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Died: January 23, 2021 (Age 87)
• Place of Death: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
• Immediate Cause of Death: Sepsis
• Underlying/Contributing Conditions: Acute hypoxic respiratory failure and end-stage kidney failure
• Notable Career Highlights: Host of *Larry King Live* on CNN (1985–2010), host of *The Larry King Show* (radio), co-founder of Ora Media.
• Key Interviews: Every U.S. President from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama, world leaders, celebrities, and major newsmakers.

King's career was defined by his longevity and ability to connect with diverse audiences, yet his personal life was marked by frequent, severe health crises that he often spoke about publicly, using his platform to raise awareness about heart disease and other issues.

The Official Medical Explanation: Sepsis and Organ Failure

The immediate and definitive answer to the question of Larry King’s cause of death is sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. It leads to organ failure and can be fatal if not treated quickly. The death certificate, obtained by various news outlets, specified the medical cascade that led to his passing. The two primary underlying conditions that contributed to the sepsis were:

Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure

This is a condition where the oxygen levels in the blood drop dangerously low. Acute hypoxic respiratory failure means the lungs were unable to adequately oxygenate King's blood. This is a critical and immediate threat to life, often requiring mechanical ventilation.

End-Stage Kidney Failure (Renal Failure)

Kidney failure, or renal failure, means the kidneys have lost their ability to function adequately. This leads to a buildup of waste products and fluid in the body, which severely stresses other organs. King had been battling kidney issues for some time, a common complication for individuals with a history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While King was hospitalized with COVID-19 in December 2020, reports indicated that he had cleared the virus before his death on January 23, 2021. However, the stress and damage caused by a severe viral infection like COVID-19 on an already compromised system—especially in an 87-year-old patient with multiple pre-existing conditions—undoubtedly played a significant role in triggering the final, fatal septic event and subsequent organ failure. The COVID-19 infection, while not the listed immediate cause, was a catalyst that his body could not recover from.

Larry King’s Decade-Spanning Health Odyssey: A History of Survival

What makes King's death by organ failure so poignant is the sheer number of severe health battles he had won over the previous three decades. His life was a testament to medical resilience, having survived a remarkable series of life-threatening illnesses that are often, individually, fatal. This extensive medical history provides crucial context for his ultimate passing.

1. Major Heart Attack (1987)

King suffered a massive heart attack in 1987, which dramatically altered his life and career trajectory. This event led him to quit smoking and inspired him to establish the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, dedicated to helping fund life-saving cardiac care for those who couldn't afford it. He underwent quintuple bypass surgery following the heart attack.

2. Lung Cancer (2017)

In 2017, King was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. He underwent a successful surgery to remove the malignant tumor. He credited early detection with saving his life, another example of his public health advocacy.

3. Prostate Cancer

King also successfully battled prostate cancer, demonstrating his body's ability to fight off multiple forms of the disease over the years.

4. Type 2 Diabetes

He lived with Type 2 Diabetes for many years, a chronic condition that is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and other systemic health issues. Diabetes significantly contributes to the weakening of the body's overall system and its ability to fight infection.

5. Near-Fatal Stroke (2019)

In 2019, King suffered a near-fatal stroke that left him in a coma for several days. The stroke caused permanent damage, requiring extensive physical therapy and leaving him with speech difficulties. This event was a major setback to his overall health and likely contributed to the long-term decline of his kidney function.

6. Angioplasty and Other Procedures

Over the years, King underwent numerous cardiac procedures, including an angioplasty in 2019 to address continued cardiovascular issues. His heart, having survived a major attack, required constant medical intervention.

7. COVID-19 Hospitalization (2020/2021)

His final hospitalization began after contracting COVID-19 in late 2020. Although he reportedly beat the virus, the severe stress of the infection on his weakened body—a body that had already survived a heart attack, stroke, and two different cancers—proved too much. The resulting systemic inflammation likely accelerated the final failure of his kidneys and lungs, leading to the fatal sepsis. Larry King’s death, therefore, was not the result of a single illness but the culmination of a decades-long war against disease. Sepsis, acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and kidney failure were the final, devastating blows in a life filled with medical battles he had, until the very end, miraculously survived. His legacy remains that of an interviewer who asked the tough questions, and a man who faced his own mortality with public honesty and remarkable endurance.