Tucker Carlson has shared the sad news of his father’s passing, Richard ‘Dick’ Warner Carlson, who he described as “the toughest human being.” Dick Carlson passed away on March 20, 2024, after battling a six-week illness at their home in Boca Grande, Florida. His final moments were spent holding the hands of his children, with his beloved dogs by his side.
Dick Carlson was more than just the father of Tucker Carlson; he was an accomplished and respected figure in his own right. He had a distinguished career, having served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Seychelles under President George H. W. Bush and as the Director of Voice of America under President Ronald Reagan. Despite a mysterious professional life in his later years, Dick remained close to his children, speaking with them daily and maintaining a longstanding tradition of weekly lunches at the Metropolitan Club in Washington, where they would begin with a dice game.
Born on February 10, 1941, Richard Carlson’s early life was marked by hardship. Raised in an orphanage after being placed there by his Swedish-speaking mother, he spent years in foster homes before being adopted at the age of 12. The loss of his adoptive father at a young age led him down a troubled path, resulting in a brief stint in jail for car theft at 17. However, he turned his life around by joining the Marine Corps, working as a merchant seaman, and eventually becoming a journalist.
Dick’s career began as a copy boy at the Los Angeles Times and later as an investigative reporter for KABC in Los Angeles, gaining recognition for his work. His son, Tucker, often reflected on how his father’s work and philosophy shaped his own upbringing. Despite the privilege of their lives, Tucker’s childhood was unconventional. Dick was dedicated to exposing his children to the realities of his work. One of the more striking examples included taking his children to a murder scene, where they witnessed the victim’s body on the sidewalk.
Throughout his life, Dick Carlson had a deep love for dogs, which his family recalled fondly in his obituary. He passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind his two sons, Tucker and Buckley, as well as five grandchildren.
Tucker Carlson expressed in his tribute that his father’s death has left a profound void in their family, and while his professional life was known for its accomplishments, it was his personal bond with his family that truly defined him.
