(CNN) Former radio shock jock and media personality Don Imus died Friday morning at 79, his family announced.

Imus died at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in College Station, Texas, the family said in a statement. The irreverent broadcaster had been hospitalized on Christmas Eve and the family did not mention the cause of death.

The radio host was diagnosed in 2009 with stage 2 prostate cancer.

Imus was the host of "Imus in the Morning," a daily radio morning show that became nationally syndicated.

Known for his controversial and provocative opinions, Imus first appeared on radio in 1968 before joining WNBC in 1971, according to Radio Insight.

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