The 86-year-old could not even attend his son's funeral because he was recovering from the stroke he suffered in March 2019.
Parents are born when their kids are born. Until then, the couple or single parent might have lived just for themselves. But from when they turn parents, their world begins to revolve around them. From the time they say their first words to the time they start walking, everything is a step you take towards building a better life for them. It's hard when they leave homes for the first time, to take the course of their own journey, to fly away but when they fall, it breaks your heart. That's exactly what American television and radio host Larry King is experiencing.
The Larry King Now host is mourning the death of his son Andy King, 65, and Chaia King, 51. The host opened up about their deaths recently on social media. While Andy's death was sudden, Chaia died due to lung cancer, reported People. Remembering his kids, he penned on his thoughts on Facebook saying, "It is with sadness and a father's broken heart that I confirm the recent loss of two of my children, Andy King, and Chaia King. Both of them were good and kind souls and they will be greatly missed."
He continued, "Andy passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 28th, and Chaia passed on August 20th, only a short time after having been diagnosed with lung cancer," and continued, "Losing them feels so out of order. No parent should have to bury a child. My family and I thank you for your outpouring of kind sentiments and well wishes. In this moment, we need a little time and privacy to heal. I thank you for respecting that."
The 86-year-old host's son Andy died on July 28 and a few weeks later his daughter, Chaia passed away on August 19. According to ET Online, it is an extremely difficult time for the King family. Among his son and daughter, Chaia was very close to Larry and her death affected him a lot. The father and daughter co-wrote a book titled Daddy Day, Daughter Day in 1997, according to The Sun. It is not known how long she battled her cancer but ultimately it took her.
Chaia was born after Larry and Alene Atkins got married in 1961. Once they tied the knot, he adopted Andy, Atkin's son from her previous relationship. Larry also has son Larry King Jr. with ex-wife Annette Kaye and sons Cannon and Chance King with ex-wife Shawn King.
Andy's death was so sudden that it shook everyone. His daughter and Larry's granddaughter, Jillian, spoke to The Daily Mail about her father's death. She said, "I was out of town because my husband’s father had passed away so we were up in Kentucky taking care of his funeral when I heard the news." Her father's death tore her completely as she was dealing with the passing away of her father-in-law as well.
She continued, "My dad passed away July 28. We’re assuming it was a heart attack but there wasn’t ever an autopsy. I was in disbelief when I heard. Chaia, with everything she was going through, was more expected. At least we had time to prepare. But there was no warning with him. It was a shock." Due to the pandemic, Larry couldn't travel from Los Angeles to Florida and thus could attend his son's funeral.
Back in May, Larry had complained about chest pain which turned out to be angina. He was then admitted to the hospital for an angioplasty. He also suffered a heart attack back in 1987 and had to undergo quintuple bypass surgery, according to ET Online. In his 2004 book, Taking on Heart Disease, he discussed some unhealthy habits of his that lead to a heart attack. In 2017 he was diagnosed with lung cancer just like his daughter. His upper lobe and lymph node were removed through surgery. Our prayers for the family.
References:
https://people.com/tv/larry-king-mourns-deaths-of-son-andy-daughter-chaia/
https://www.etonline.com/larry-kings-son-and-daughter-die-weeks-apart-151810
https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1351819/chaia-king-lung-cancer-larry-king-host-stroke/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8652169/Two-Larry-Kings-children-died-past-month.html
