The Larry King Cardiac Foundation was established in 1988 by Larry King and his family. Today, Larry King continues to promote the foundation and support it through direct support and proceeds from his books and public speaking engagements. Shawn King is the Foundation’s Chair.
The organization is also supported by a dedicated staff, a board of corporate and medical leaders, and generous donors large and small. Every one has something to contribute, even if it's just looking after your own heart health.
LARRY KING
Founder, Larry King Cardiac Foundation
In 1987, Larry King awoke in the Intensive Care Unit of a New York hospital after undergoing successful quintuple bypass heart surgery. For almost a year, his heart had been failing as a result of cardiovascular disease. Larry was lucky. His hospital bills were covered by insurance. Others are not so lucky. While Larry was recovering from his operation, he made a promise to himself to help others who may not be as lucky.
Larry King is just one of the more than 60 million people in the United States who suffers from heart disease. In his book, Taking on Heart Disease, Larry solicits the help of his celebrity friends, including actors, athletes, comedians, authors, singers and political figures to recount their personal triumphs over heart disease in an effort to educate the ever-growing number of heart disease victims. Since battling heart disease, these beloved recognized figures offer help and hope to heart disease patients. Also contributing to the book are some of the best cardiologists in the world who discuss prevention and treatment.
Larry continues to bring his unique brand of talk to a global audience. As host of Larry King NOW on Ora TV -- a new on-demand digital TV network -- he celebrates the most interesting people and their stories. In his work with the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, he will extend that amplification potential to the Everyday Heart Heroes who are promoting prevention to ensure we all live more vital and heart-healthy lives.
SHAWN KING
Chair, Larry King Cardiac Foundation
Born and raised in Southern California until she enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 1978, Shawn began performing at the age of three as a child studio vocalist, eventually graduating to singing back-up vocals for motion pictures, television and records for a diverse group of artists such as Neil Diamond, The Beach Boys, Herb Albert, Sergio Mendez, Bobby Sherman and Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Shawn is also a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, having personally developed, patented and launched the first consumer friendly hair extension product through her Luxurious Hair infomercial in partnership with the American Telecast Corporation, resulting in sales of over $23,000,000 in the first quarter alone. This was a very “hands on” project, taking her to China to source material, develop tooling and quality control methods as well as shipping and receiving procedures.
After wedding CNN’s Larry King in 1997, she decided it was a good time to take a hiatus while they started a family. But she never lost the drive for a career in music, and is now back at work and represented by The William Morris Agency. Shawn was invited to team up with record producer David Foster to record a side for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Commemorative CD, as well as being part of a Christmas CD featuring various name artists benefiting The Larry King Cardiac Foundation. The latter CD featured her performance on the title track, “Gotta Love the Holidays”, which was also produced by David Foster and features a solo by saxophonist Kenny G.
