Former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes has died at age 77, according to a statement from his wife, Elizabeth.
In a statement released to Drudge Report, Elizabeth said, “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 Palm Beach County Medical Examiner said in a statement that Ailes died “of complications of a subdural hematoma after he fell at home injuring his head.” Furthermore, “hemophilia contributed to his death and his manner of death was accidental.”
Ailes helped found Fox News after an already storied political career. Under his tenure, the network grew from having to fight to be on cable providers to being the top cable news channel and one of the top cable channels.
“Everybody at Fox News is shocked and grieved by the death of Roger Ailes,” 21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch said in a statement. “A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years. He will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted. Roger and I shared a big idea which he executed in a way no one else could have. In addition, Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs.”
Ailes resigned from Fox News in 2016 after sexual harassment claims were lodged against him by Gretchen Carlson which then grew into a larger sexual harassment investigation. Ailes’s downfall led to renewed attention towards a suddenly vulnerable network which later saw top star Bill O’Reilly leave for sexual harassment.
This story has been updated with a cause of death and reaction from Murdoch.