20 Facts About Al Neuharth

Allen Harold "Al" Neuharth was an American businessman, author, and columnist born in Eureka, South Dakota.

Al Neuharth was the founder of USA Today, The Freedom Forum, and its Newseum.

Al Neuharth was born in Eureka, South Dakota, to a German-speaking family.

Al Neuharth graduated from Alpena High School in Alpena, South Dakota, where he worked for Allen Brigham, owner of the local newspaper, the Alpena Journal.

At the age of 19, Al Neuharth served in the Army during World War II.

Al Neuharth started Today in Cocoa, Florida, which eventually became Florida Today.

Al Neuharth then ran the boardroom under Miller, whom he eventually succeeded in 1973.

Al Neuharth helped to build Gannett into the largest newspaper company in the United States.

Gannett purchased Harris because the firm was doing costly research for Al Neuharth to determine the advisability of starting a new national newspaper.

Al Neuharth founded USA Today in 1982, which as of March 2013 was the third most widely read newspaper in the country.

Al Neuharth won the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 1988, in recognition of his founding of the newspaper.

Al Neuharth retired from Gannett on March 31,1989, at the age of 65.

Al Neuharth served as chairman of the board of the Gannett Foundation upon his retirement.

Al Neuharth took control of the foundation, removed the CEO, and installed his own top executive.

Al Neuharth was chairman of the Freedom Forum from 1991 until he died in 2013.

Al Neuharth married his second wife, Florida State Senator Lori Wilson, in 1973.

Al Neuharth married Rachel Fornes, a Cocoa Beach, Florida, chiropractor, and they adopted six children.

In 1975, Al Neuharth built a beachfront mansion in Cocoa Beach.

Al Neuharth died on Friday, April 19,2013, at his home in Cocoa Beach, at the age of 89.

Marsh said that Al Neuharth fell earlier in the week and never quite recovered.