Former President George W. Bush released a statement Wednesday mourning the death of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.
“Laura and I are sorry to learn that Rush Limbaugh has passed away,” the statement read. “Rush Limbaugh was an indomitable spirit with a big heart, and he will be missed.”
Limbaugh’s death was announced Wednesday by his wife, Kathryn Limbaugh, on Limbaugh’s radio show to millions of listeners.
Limbaugh died due to complications with stage 4 lung cancer, a diagnosis he has had for more than a year.
“As he battled hearing loss and cancer late in life, he was sustained by the support of friends and family, his love of sports and rock and roll, and his belief in God and country,” Bush said.
Limbaugh’s time on the radio spanned three decades, and he was first syndicated in 1988. Over the years, the radio host made headlines for some of his controversial comments on race, gender and other political issues.
“While he was brash, at times controversial, and always opinionated, he spoke his mind as a voice for millions of Americans and approached each day with gusto,” the statement said.
Limbaugh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Trump last year following the news of his cancer diagnosis. The former president broke his media silence on Wednesday, calling in to Fox New’s “Outnumbered” to reflect on his relationship with the host.
“He is a legend. He really is. There aren’t too many legends around. But he is a legend,” Trump said. “And those people who listen to him every day, it was like a religious experience for a lot of people.”