Larry King Announces Retirement: "
After a quarter century on the air and amid some pretty significant personal controversy of late,
Larry King will hang up the
suspenders this fall.
The
talk show host, 77, announced on Tuesday he will end his run on Larry King Live in the fall but will remain with CNN for occasional specials.
The decision to retire was made to 'give me more time for my wife and I to get to the kids' little league games,' the venerable newsman said.
Larry and wife
Shawn Southwick have been embroiled in marital problems this year, both filing for
divorce at one point before calling it off.
King was accused of an affair with
Shannon Engemann, Shawn's sister, while she has been tied to their kids' little league coach of all people.
Hopefully Larry and Shawn can work things out.
In May, his wife, who has a history of painkiller addiction, was found with empty pill bottles strewn on her bed in a
possible suicide attempt.
They have been
married over a decade and have two young sons.
"Larry King defined the art of the TV interview," CNN said. "His candor, curiosity and compassion are legendary, and his ability to interview people from all walks of life – world leaders, celebrities and everyday people – has made him an icon."
'With this chapter closing I'm looking forward to the future and what my next chapter will bring,' said a clearly emotional King.
We wish him the best with that.
"
