On Thursday's "The 700 Club," host Pat Robertson called Ailes a "media genius," citing the superb ratings since the network's inception in 1996 and as a result, mega-earnings, all of which were directly attributable to Ailes.

However, Ailes was forced out of the network in the wake of several allegations of sexual harassment, notably by some high-profile on-air personalities. He resigned from the network 10 months ago.

Ailes' wife, Elizabeth, whom he married in 1998, released the following statement.

"I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning," she wrote. "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."

Last year, former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes, which prompted other females at Fox to come forward with similar accusations, most notably anchor Meghan Kelly. Both women are no longer at the network.

News of Ailes' death broke during the broadcast of Fox News Network's "Fox and Friends" morning program. The anchors of that program were noticeably shaken while delivering the news of the death of their former boss.

"Beth, you are in our thoughts and prayers," Ainsley Earhardt told Ailes' widow, "and so is Zachary, their beautiful son. Roger, rest in peace."

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