Roger Ailes, the Fox News founder and CEO who left the cable news powerhouse after 20 years amid allegations of sexual harassment, has died, family members said in a statement. He was 77.

>> Read more trending news

Ailes' wife, Elizabeth Ailes, confirmed her husband's death in a statement posted on the Drudge Report.

“Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many,” Elizabeth Ailes wrote. “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.”

A family friend, who was not identified, told "New York" magazine that Ailes was dealing with complications after having "some kind of blood clot" last week in Florida.

Roger Ailes

Credit: The Washington Post

icon to expand image

Credit: The Washington Post