Publisher and Author Andrew Breitbart DeadPHOTO: Washington Times commentator and Breitbart.com webmaster Andrew Breitbart speaks during the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference, Feb. 12, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Washington Times commentator and Breitbart.com webmaster Andrew Breitbart speaks during the American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference, Feb. 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
By CHRISTINA NG (@ChristinaNg27)
March 1, 2012
Andrew Breitbart, the noted conservative Internet publisher and author, has died. He was 43.
A statement posted on his website said that Breitbart died "unexpectedly from natural causes" this morning.
The Los Angeles Coroner's Office confirmed to ABC News Radio that Breitbart died shortly after midnight at UCLA Medical Center.
The following statement was posted on Breitbart's website today:
"With a terrible feeling of pain and loss we announce the passing of Andrew Breitbart. We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior.
Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love.
Andrew recently wrote a new conclusion to his book, Righteous Indignation:
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'I love my job. I love fighting for what I believe in. I love having fun while doing it. I love reporting stories that the Complex refuses to report. I love fighting back, I love finding allies, and—famously—I enjoy making enemies.
Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I've lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I've gained hundreds, thousands—who knows?—of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night.'
Andrew is at rest, yet the happy warrior lives on, in each of us."
A conservative blogger and journalist, Breitbart helped launch the Huffington Post and was an editor at the Drudge Report.
He also founded his own news network, acting as the publisher of several news websites including Breitbart.com, Breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Government, Big Journalism and Big Peace.
Big Government broke the ACORN child sex trafficking scandal and also, in 2011, the "Weinergate" photo scandal that led to the resignation of New York Rep. Anthony Weiner.
Breitbert was known for publishing controversial exposes and wrote a best-selling critique of celebrity culture, "Hollywood, Interrupted." His newest book "Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World!" was on the New York Times bestseller list.
