87-year-old Larry King, the longtime CNN host who became an icon through his interviews with countless newsmakers has died.

King hosted "Larry King Live" on CNN for over 25 years, interviewing presidential candidates, celebrities, athletes, movie stars and everyday people.

He retired in 2010 after taping more than 6,000 episodes of the show.

King had been hospitalized with COVID-19 in late December.

He battled a number of health problems over the years, suffering several heart attacks.

More recently, King revealed in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and successfully underwent surgery to treat it.

in an era filled with star newsmen, King was a giant, among the most prominent questioners on television and a host to presidents, movie stars and world-class athletes.

With an affable, easygoing demeanour that distinguished him from more intense TV interviewers, King perfected a casual approach to the Q&A format, always leaning forward and listening intently to his guests, rarely interrupting.

[Source: CNN]