Roger Ailes, the former chairman and CEO of Fox News, has died at age 77.
His wife, Elizabeth (pictured above), confirmed the news in a statement released Thursday morning.
“I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning,” she said. “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.”
Ailes likely died of a broken heart after he was forced out at the cable news network he built into a ratings powerhouse with its slogan “Fair and Balanced.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity tweeted: “Today America lost one of its great patriotic warriors.”
Ailes was ousted at Fox News in 2016 after a handful of women accused him of sexual harassment.
Former anchor Gretchen Carlson waited until her contract was not renewed to sue Ailes for sexual harassment. The network settled out of court for $20 million.
At least six other women came forward after the settlement was announced. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly was among them.
Ailes vigorously denied the accusations up until his death.
Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
