Larry King, a radio and television interviewer whose career spanned six decades including three with CNN, has died. He was 87.

Mr. King passed away on Saturday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles after battling with Covid-19 since January.

His company, Ora Media Company, posted a statement online, confirming his demise.

The statement read: “With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the sad death of our co-founder, host and friend Larry King.

Ora Media sends our condolences to his surviving children Larry, Jr, Chance, Cannon and the entire King family.

Funeral services and a memorial service will be announced later in coordination with the King family, who ask privacy at this time.”

His death comes after fighting several health problems over the years such as lung and prostate cancer.

Sources say Mr. King has been in hospital since early December after testing positive for COVID. His age and underlying health conditions meant he could not fight the devastating side effects.

In 1987, Mr. King survived a heart attack and a stroke in 2019, which left him comatose for weeks. His own medical struggles moved him to start the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, a charity aimed at footing the bills of those without health insurance.

Mr.King was born in Brooklyn, New York and began his career as a journalist after moving to Florida.

His career kicked off in radio in 1957 and he adopted the stage name of Larry King as advised by his station manager.

His hit show, Larry King Live on CNN took off in 1985, earning him global acclaim. Mr. King hosted the show for 25 years until he stepped down in 2010.