R.I.P.: Roger Ailes Is Dead

Media titan Roger Ailes, who resigned from his positions as chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network amid sexual harassment allegations, has died, according to CNBC.

Ailes resigned from Fox in the wake of former Fox News Channel Host Gretchen Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Ailes had denied the allegations.

Ailes founded Fox News and helped shape the modern cable news landscape in the process.

In a statement to Drudge Report, his wife Elizabeth Ailes said, "I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning. Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many. He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise—and to give back. During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions. And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life..."

No cause of death was given.

Breaking News: Former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes has died, his family announced. pic.twitter.com/AksPdNSZaI

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 18, 2017

The Ohio-born television pioneer was a confidante of presidents and a acknowledged master of communications. He founded Fox News in 1996 and built it into the nation's long-running No. 1 cable news network Ailes resigned from Fox in July.

At the time of Ailes' his departure, Executive Chairman of News Corp Rupert Murdoch said, "Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country ... Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”

Today America lost one of its great patriotic warriors. Roger Ailes. For Decades RA's has impacted American politics and media.

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 18, 2017

Love and prayers to Beth and Zach. R.I.P Roger - you changed television as we know it. https://t.co/1vjhGFQaDc

— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) May 18, 2017

RIP #RogerAiles one of the most impt broadcasters in history-The genius who created #FoxNews -a good friend, who loved his family & country

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) May 18, 2017

Roger Ailes founded one of the most important and successful media outlets in American history. I will miss his friendship dearly. RIP.

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 18, 2017

Terribly sad news. R.I.P. https://t.co/K90HHnc1fx

— Brit Hume (@brithume) May 18, 2017

Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox and the Fox News Channel,  issued a statement Thursday, mourning the loss of Fox News founder Roger Ailes:

Everybody at Fox News is shocked and grieved by the death of Roger Ailes. 

A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years. He will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted. 

Roger and I shared a big idea which he executed in a way no one else could have. In addition, Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs. 

At 21st Century Fox we will always be enormously grateful for the great business he built. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Elizabeth and son Zachary.

Neither Ailes' wife nor Fox released any details on the circumstances of his death. He suffered from hemophilia, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Reuters is reporting Gabriel Sherman, a reporter who wrote a biography of Ailes, said on Twitter that Ailes died after suffering a blood clot after falling in Palm Beach, Florida, citing two family friends. Reuters could not immediately confirm Sherman's report.