Let’s talk about a legend: Larry King. Last month, the iconic TV broadcaster celebrated his 87th birthday—not in the way you’d expect, though. Instead of cake and confetti, Larry found himself in the hospital dealing with a blood flow issue. It was a tough cap to what’s been an incredibly challenging year. This summer alone, he lost two of his children, Andy King and Chaia King, in tragic and heartbreaking circumstances.

But here’s the thing about Larry: he’s got perspective. In an exclusive chat with Closer, Larry opened up about life’s ups and downs. “John Kennedy once said life isn’t fair, and that’s so true,” Larry shared. “So much of life is about luck, and honestly, there’s not much we can control. You just have to take it as it comes.”

Facing Heartbreak Head-On

The past year has been especially heavy for Larry. First, his eldest son, Andy King, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65 due to a heart attack. Not long after, his daughter Chaia, 51, lost her battle with lung cancer. “It feels so wrong,” Larry admits. “No parent should ever have to bury their child. But that’s the reality. They were both such incredible people—kind, loving, and full of life. I’ll miss them every day.”

Read also:
What Fiona Rene Hopes For Reenie Greene In Tracker Season 3

Life After Divorce

On top of all this, Larry’s personal life has also seen its share of changes. Back in 2019, Larry filed for divorce from Shawn Southwick King, his wife of 22 years and the mother of his youngest sons, Chance and Cannon. It wasn’t an easy decision, but Larry knew it was the right one for him. “I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted my life to look like moving forward,” he explains. “There’s nothing worse than constant arguing. I just wanted to be happy, and I wanted her to be happy too.”

Despite their separation, Shawn remains an important part of Larry’s life. “She still checks in on me regularly,” says Larry. “We may not be married anymore, but she’s still family.”

A Legacy of Love and Baseball

One of the brightest lights in Larry’s life right now is his relationship with his surviving children, especially his youngest sons. Both Chance and Cannon have dreams of making it big in professional baseball, and Larry couldn’t be prouder. “Chance is an amazing pitcher, and Cannon? Well, he’s one heck of a player too,” Larry gushes. “They’re both incredible kids. I introduced them to baseball, and they’ve fallen in love with it. I’d love to see them play professionally someday, maybe even get married and give me some grandkids!”

Work Keeps Him Going

Though Larry King Now wrapped up its run on Hulu earlier this year, Larry hasn’t slowed down. He’s still hosting PoliticKING With Larry King, a weekly talk show available on the streaming service. “He doesn’t want to stop,” reveals an insider. “The doctors keep telling him to slow down, to rest more, but for Larry, work isn’t a chore—it’s a passion. He’s always been curious, and he’s turned that curiosity into a career.”

When asked about his secret to bouncing back from so much adversity, Larry’s answer is simple. “Every day, I pinch myself,” he says. “I’ve been through so much—heart attacks, cancer, you name it—but here I am. I’ve got so much to live for. I’m grateful for every moment.”

Larry King and Kids — MediaPunch/Shutterstock

For all the challenges Larry has faced, he remains optimistic and grateful. “Life has been good to me,” he reflects. “Sure, there’ve been tough times, but I’ve been blessed in so many ways. I’ve lived through it all, and I keep coming back stronger. There’s so much more life to live, and I’m ready for it.”