Roger Ailes has died at the age of 77, his wife Elizabeth revealed in a statement on Thursday

Roger Ailes, the former chairman and CEO of Fox News, has died at the age of 77, eight days after falling and hitting his head at his Florida mansion.

Ailes' death comes less than a year after he resigned from the network he founded over allegations of sexual harassment.

His wife Elizabeth, with whom he has one 16-year-old son, broke the news on Thursday with a statement to Matt Drudge:

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

'During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions.

'And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life,' the statement reads.

Ailes, who was a hemophiliac, died about a week after falling and hitting his head in the bathroom of his Palm Beach, Florida home, according to an incident report.

The report say they got a call from Ailes' residence just before 2pm on May 10. The caller said that Ailes was bleeding heavily on the ground and was not responding to questions. Paramedics arrived within a minute and he was taken to a hospital.

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The news ticker outside Fox News, the network Ailes helped found, reports his death Thursday morning

According to an incident report, Ailes fell down and hit his head in the bedroom of his Palm Beach, Florida home (pictured) on May 10. Above, the home on Thursday

Sources say Ailes died Thursday, after falling into a coma. Above, a look at the home lit up

STATEMENT FROM RUPERT MURDOCH ON THE DEATH OF ROGER AILES 'Everybody at Fox News is shocked and grieved by the death of Roger Ailes. 'A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years. He will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted. 'Roger and I shared a big idea which he executed in a way no one else could have. In addition, Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs. 'At 21st Century Fox we will always be enormously grateful for the great business he built. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Elizabeth and son Zachary.' Advertisement

Sources told TMZ that Ailes suffered complications after the fall, falling into a coma on Wednesday and dying early Thursday morning.

That report was backed up by New York Magazine reporter Gabriel Sherman, who has extensively covered Ailes over the years.

'Last week Ailes had some kind of blood clot in Palm Beach. Suffered complications,' a family friend of Ailes told Sherman.

Ailes celebrated his 77th birthday on Monday.

In a statement, Ailes' former boss, News Corporation founder Rupert Murdoch, said that 'everybody' at Fox is 'shocked and grieved' to hear of his passing.

'A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years. He will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted,' Murdoch said.

He added: 'At 21st Century Fox we will always be enormously grateful for the great business he built. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Elizabeth and son Zachary.'

Fox News anchor Sean Hannity was one of the first to tweet his condolences to Ailes' family.

'Today, America lost one of its great patriotic warriors,' Hannity tweeted. 'He has dramatically and forever changed the political and the media landscape, single-handedly for the better.'

Ailes wife Elizabeth, right, announced his death in a statement Thursday morning. They are pictured outside the News Corp building on July 19, 2016 - just two days before his resignation

FULL STATEMENT FROM ELIZABETH AILES 'I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning surrounded by his beautiful family. Roger was my best friend, the most wonderful loving husband and father to our son Zachary. He was a loyal friend to so many. Roger was a patriot, grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise - and to give back. During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions. And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life. 'Those who wish to join us in that celebration are encouraged to consider making a donation to the Marine Corps-LawEnforcement Foundation. This terrific organization generously provides scholarships to children who lose a parent serving in the United State Marine Corps or any Federal Law Enforcement Agency. Finally, at this time of sorrow and grief we ask you to respect our privacy.' Advertisement

In recent years, Ailes' health had begun to decline.

Ailes had hemophilia, multiple surgeries to replace his joints and a secret prostate surgery a few years ago that put him on an extended leave from the network, according to Sherman. Before he resigned last year, Sherman reported that Ailes was still having trouble walking and rarely left his executive suite.

A friend who ran into Ailes in Palm Beach over the 2015-2016 holidays told the magazine that he was using a walker.

In an excerpt from the 2013 biography 'Roger Ailes Off Camera,' Ailes said he knew he didn't have long left to live.

'My doctor told me that I’m old, fat, and ugly, but none of those things is going to kill me immediately,' he told the author, Zev Chafets, shortly before his 72nd birthday. 'The actuaries say I have six to eight years. The best tables give me 10. Three thousand days, more or less.'

He added: 'I’d give anything for another 10 years.'

ROGER AILES REMEMBERED Brett Baier, Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo Rivera and Kimberly Guilfoyle were among those who paid tribute to former boss Roger Ailes after news of his sudden death. The popular television hosts all expressed their condolences following Ailes' passing while also sending their regards to his wife Elizabeth and son Zack, opting to say little else about the polarizing executive in their brief posts. This was not the case however with Sean Hannity and Rupert Murdoch, who both released lengthy statements about the man they worked side-by-side with for two decades. 'Everybody at Fox News is shocked and grieved by the death of Roger Ailes,' said Murdoch in a statement on Thursday. 'A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping America’s media over the last thirty years. He will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted.' The Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox and Fox News went on to say: 'Roger and I shared a big idea which he executed in a way no one else could have. In addition, Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs. 'At 21st Century Fox we will always be enormously grateful for the great business he built. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Elizabeth and son Zachary.' Advertisement

When asked if he was afraid to die, Ailes responded: 'Because of my hemophilia, I’ve been prepared to face death all of my life. As a boy I spent a lot of time in hospitals.

Because of my hemophilia, I've been prepared to face death all of my life... Everybody fears the unknown. But I have a strong feeling there's something bigger than us. I don’t think all this exists because some rocks happened to collide. I’m at peace. When it comes, I’ll be fine, calm. I’ll miss life, though. Especially my family. Roger Ailes in a 2013 interview

'My parents had to leave at the end of visiting hours, and I spent a lot of time just lying there in the dark, thinking about the fact that any accident could be dangerous or even fatal. So I’m ready.

'Everybody fears the unknown. But I have a strong feeling there’s something bigger than us. I don’t think all this exists because some rocks happened to collide. I’m at peace. When it comes, I’ll be fine, calm. I’ll miss life, though. Especially my family.'

Ailes will likely be remembered as a controversial figure in the industry. On the one hand, he revolutionized cable news - and arguably the entire American political landscape - by giving the far right a voice on a major network.

'Apart from the presidents he served, he was arguably the single most important figure in the creation of modern conservatism,' David Greenberg, a Rutgers University political scientist, wrote in an essay for Politico last year. 'By fusing television's power to conjure feelings of anger and resentment to an ideology of cultural populism that demonized liberal elites, Ailes set forth the methods and the message that would help conservative politicians win and maintain power for decades.'

But he was also a tyrannical force, and it was accusations of widespread sexual harassment that eventually brought him down.

Rupert Murdoch (right) hired Roger Ailes (left) to start Fox News in October 1996. The two pictured above in 2010

Ailes spent years working as a media consultant for politicians. He's pictured above in the Oval Office with Richard Nixon in 1968

Ailes worked on the election campaigns for Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush (Ailes and Bush pictured above in 1988)

While Ailes continued to deny the allegations right up until his resignation in July of last year, the sheer amount of accusations were overwhelming.

The allegations were first reported by Sherman in his 2014 book on Ailes, but the story didn't gain traction until 2016, when former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes. Carlson claimed that Ailes cancelled her show when she rebuffed his advances.

Three days later, Sherman published a story including reports from six other women who had similar experiences with Ailes.

Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox then hired a law firm to independently investigate the claims. In that time period, star anchor Megyn Kelly - who has since left to join NBC - even came forward to say she was harassed by Ailes early on in her career at the network.

Owner Rupert Murdoch reportedly wanted to keep Ailes, but his sons, James and Lachlan, turned against the longtime Fox CEO after seeing the results of the review.

On July 21, Ailes resigned from the network, taking a $40million payout. Murdoch took over as chairman and interim CEO. (The lawsuit from Carlson was later settled for $20million.)

In a letter to Murdoch released at the time, Ailes said: 'I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry.'

Ailes was born in Warren, Ohio on May 15, 1940, to Robert Eugene Ailes, a factory worker, and his wife Donna Marie. Ailes' father was abusive and the couple broke up in 1960. Ailes went on to study radio and television at Ohio University, graduating in 1962.

Ailes was born in Warren, Ohio on May 15, 1940. He studied radio and television at Ohio University

Ailes was the son of factory worker Robert Eugene Ailes and his wife Donna Marie. His father was abusive and the parents divorced in 1960. Above is a family photo

FROM BLUE-COLLAR OHIO TO THE BIG APPLE: KEY EVENTS IN ROGER AILES' LIFE May 15, 1940: Roger Ailes born in Warren, Ohio. 1962: After graduation from Ohio University, Ailes lands an entry-level position on a Cleveland TV station's local talk and music program starring Mike Douglas, a former big-band singer. Ailes rises to executive producer as 'The Mike Douglas Show' relocates to Philadelphia and gains hit status in national syndication. 1968: Enters the political arena after offering his services as a media adviser to a guest on the 'Douglas' show, former Vice President Richard Nixon, who hires Ailes to help him up his game on television during a successful run for the White House. 1970-80s: After founding Ailes Communications, he serves as a communications consultant to corporations and Republican candidates. 1970s: Produces television programs and plays including 'The Hot l Baltimore,' which opens off-Broadway in New York in 1973 and runs for three years. 1970: Helps launch Television News Incorporated, a right-wing TV service funded by conservative brewing magnate Joseph Coors that folds a few years later. 1984: Serves as a political consultant to presidential candidate Ronald Reagan. 1987-88: Helps guide George H.W. Bush through the Republican presidential primaries and his come-from-behind victory over Michael Dukakis. 1989-91: Manages the unsuccessful first campaign by Rudolph Giuliani for mayor of New York, and the unsuccessful campaign of Jim Courter for governor of New Jersey. A final campaign is the unsuccessful race by Richard Thornburgh for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 1991. 1992-96: Produces conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's syndicated TV show. 1993: Declaring he is through with politics, joins NBC to run its cable business network, CNBC. He is credited with boosting CNBC's ratings and putting that troubled NBC subsidiary in the black. Meanwhile, he creates another network, the talk-and-advice-oriented America's Talking. January 1996: Resigns from NBC after America's Talking is sacrificed to free up channel capacity for the company's cable-news venture, MSNBC. Soon after, he signs on with media titan Rupert Murdoch to build a news network from scratch to compete as a 'fair-and-balanced' rival to CNN and the forthcoming MSNBC. Oct. 6, 1996: Fox News Channel goes on the air, with Ailes its founding CEO, three months after MSNBC signs on. 1998: Marries Elizabeth Tilson, a programming executive with whom he had worked at CNBC, By 2002: Fox News establishes itself as the ratings leader dominating cable-news competition in ratings and, arguably, influence. 2005: Adds an additional title as chairman of the Fox Television Stations Group. 2006: Launches Fox Business Channel in competition against his former employer, CNBC. July 6, 2016: Former Fox host Gretchen Carlson sues the network, alleging that Ailes sabotaged her career because she refused his suggestions for sex and had complained about a pervasive atmosphere of sexual harassment at Fox. Ailes denies the charges. July 21, 2016: Aisles resigns, hours before the final night of the Republican National Convention. May 17, 2016: Ailes dies days after falling and hitting his head at his Palm Beach, Florida home. Source: Associated Press Advertisement

After graduation he went to work for a local TV show, The Mike Douglas Show. Within a few years the show became nationally syndicated and Ailes' career rose with the show.

He met future president Richard Nixon on the show in 1967, who later hired him as his executive producer for television.

That's when Ailes started working as a media consultant for Republican politicians - going on to aide Nixon as well as Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush in their elections. He was also reported to have consulted on President Trump's campaign, after Ailes left Fox.

Ailes was behind the now-famous 'revolving door' ad that Bush Sr. ran Michael Dukakis. The ad showed a stream of convicts walking in and out of a prison while a voice over detailed how Dukakis voted against the death penalty, vetoed mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers and gave weekend furloughs to first-degree murderers as governor of Massachusetts.

The advertisement turned the tide against Dukakis, with polling showing that Americans were convinced Bush was tougher on crime after the ad was released.

Dukakis' campaign manager, Susan Estrich, says the ad really hurt their image, especially with women.

'The symbolism was very powerful...you can't find a stronger metaphor, intended or not, for racial hatred in this country than a black man raping a white woman....I talked to people afterward....Women said they couldn't help it, but it scared the living daylights out of them,' Estrich said.

In 1993, he declared that he was through with politics and joined NBC to run its cable business network, CNBC.

He is credited with boosting CNBC's ratings and putting that troubled NBC subsidiary in the black. Meanwhile, he also created another network, the talk-and-advice-oriented America's Talking.

In January 1996, Ailes reigned from NBC after America's Talking is sacrificed to free up channel capacity for the company's cable-news venture, MSNBC.

Soon after, he signed on with media titan Rupert Murdoch to build a news network from scratch to compete as a 'fair-and-balanced' rival to CNN and the forthcoming MSNBC.

The result was Fox News, which went on the air on October 6, 1996 - three months after MSNBC.

As CEO of Fox News, Ailes became a power-broker in the Republican Party, essentially setting the talking points from behind the curtain. Before Trump, no Republican presidential candidate stood a chance at the White House without Ailes' blessing. (Trump and Ailes has a temporary falling out after the first Republican presidential debate, when Trump criticized Fox anchor Megyn Kelly for questioning him on his history of sexist remarks.)

'I want to elect the next president,' he told Fox executives at a 2010 meeting, according to Shermans's 2014 biography 'The Loudest Voice in the Room'.

'Ailes' power and ruthlessness ... allowed him to take over the Republican Party and mold it to fit his paranoid world view,' Sherman told the Washington Post in 2016.

Since Ailes left the network last summer, it has been thrown into chaos.

First came the high-profile exit of Greta Van Sustern in September, followed four months later by Megyn Kelly. Both left for competitor NBCUniversal, Van Susteren to MSNBC and Kelly to NBC News.

In April, longtime anchor Bill O'Reilly was fired from the network due to a sex scandal of his own. It was reported that under Ailes, Fox had been issuing payouts for years to keep O'Reilly's sexual harassment victims quiet.

Just days after O'Reilly's firing, Fox News co-president Bill Shine resigned from the network.

Ailes' death will now complicate the federal investigation into the network for the alleged harassment and intimation of employees, since Ailes will no longer be able to refute the claims

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan is reportedly leading the investigation.

Sources who were brief on the investigation told Sherman that the probe into Fox News continues despite Ailes' death.