Rush Limbaugh

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh talks in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, in Washington, prior to a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. Two days after calling Limbaugh a mere "entertainer" with an "incendiary" talk show, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele apologized and acknowledged the radio commentator as a "national conservative leader" on Monday, March 2, 2009.

An icon in conservative politics, Rush Limbaugh reaches some 20 million listeners through his radio call-in show and a 90-second radio commentary. He got his start on KFBK in Sacramento, Calif., in 1985 and became nationally syndicated in 1988. It was reported in 2008 that Limbaugh signed a contract extension through 2016 that is worth over $400 million, breaking records for any broadcast medium -- television or radio.

Limbaugh graduated from high school in 1969 and enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University. He dropped out after two semesters and one summer after "he flunked everything," his mother said. "He just didn't seem interested in anything except radio."

Limbaugh worked as a radio disc jockey for most of the 1970s. After a stint as director of promotions with the Kansas City Royals baseball team, Limbaugh returned to radio in 1984 as a talk show host at KFBK in Sacramento, Calif. The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine meant stations could broadcast editorial commentary without having to present opposing views, paving the way for the current of format Limbaugh's talk show.

Limbaugh speaks during the National Association of Broadcasters convention, Oct. 2, 2003, in Philadelphia. Limbaugh left the air Oct. 10, 2003, after acknowledging that he had been abusing prescription painkillers. He planned to resume his regular broadcasting schedule following a five-week rehabilitation program.

Limbaugh, who has been embroiled in several controversies during his career, is also involved in various charitable causes, including his annual fundraising telethon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Jay Moore loads up his bicycle in front of a mural of Rush Limbaugh in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Oct. 11, 2003. The flood wall on the Mississippi River has murals of many famous Missouri natives, but Limbaugh is the only hometown boy. The town of about 35,000 leans heavily Republican, and one radio station rebroadcasts Limbaugh's show for anyone who may have missed it.

Customers at the Varsity Barber Shop in Cape Girardeau, Mo., read local headlines and discuss Limbaugh's admission of prescription drug addiction, Oct. 11, 2003. Limbaugh shined shoes in the shop as a teenager.

Limbaugh, left, talks on a phone as House Speaker Newt Gingrich gestures during a break in taping of NBC's "Meet the Press," Nov. 12, 1995 in Washington. Limbaugh spent most of the 1990s assailing then-President Clinton. In 1994 Gingrich made him an honorary member of the 104th Congress.

Frank and Annette Uhrhan sell $40 Rush Limbaugh ties during the state Republican Convention at the Holiday Inn in Billings, Mont., June 28, 1996. His "No Boundaries" tie collection was extremely popular in the '90s with his like-minded fans, who call themselves "dittoheads."

Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush, left, talks with Millie Limbaugh, center, and her son, Rush Limbaugh, at Millie Limbaugh's house in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Aug. 11, 1999. Bush was is in Cape Girardeau campaigning.

Washington state Republican gubernatorial candidate John Carlson, center, appears on stage with Limbaugh, left, and Bill Bennett at a GOP picnic in Puyallup, Wash., Aug. 26, 2000. Carlson lost the election to Democrat Gary Locke. Bennett, a former Cabinet secretary and "Book of Virtues" author, also faced public scrutiny in 2003 when he admitted to gambling "large sums of money."

Ear specialists Dr. Antonio De La Cruz, left, and Dr. Jennifer Derebery speak at a news conference on treatment options for Limbaugh, Oct. 11, 2001. The radio host surprised his listeners with the news that he had gone almost completely deaf, but continued to do his show using an elaborate setup involving transcribers and computer screens. The problem improved after implant surgery.

Limbaugh waves to the crowd at the end of a practice round at the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf course in South Lake Tahoe, Nev., July 17, 2003. An avid golfer, Limbaugh lives in Palm Beach, Fla.

Limbaugh poses in a July 2003 photo announcing his hiring as a commentator for ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown." The network said he was chosen to "provide the voice of the fan and to spark debate on the show." Limbaugh said the job was "the fulfillment of a dream."

Limbaugh left his job at ESPN after creating a furor by saying that he believed the Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb, pictured, was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed. McNabb has been to three straight Pro Bowls and two consecutive NFC championship games, and was runner-up for NFL MVP in his first full season as a starter.

The National Enquirer ran a story that quoted his maid as saying she was his drug connection. She said Limbaugh had abused OxyContin and other drugs. "Immediately following this broadcast I will check myself into a treatment center for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold that this highly addictive medication has on me," he told listeners on Oct. 10, 2003.

Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, March 1, 1993.