Who is Dori Monson's Wife? Seattle's Controversial Radio Host Dead At 61

Dori Monson, a longtime conservative radio personality, died at a Seattle hospital on Dec. 31, two days after he suffered a "cardiac event" at home.

"The KIRO Newsradio family and Bonneville International Corporation – along with the immediate family of Dori Monson – are deeply saddened to announce Dori's sudden passing Saturday night at a Seattle hospital," Bonneville International, which owns KIRO-FM, said in a statement.

Monson had been battling health issues over the past few years, the statement added. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

Who is Dori Monson's wife?

Dori Monson and his wife Suzanne celebrated their 35^th wedding anniversary in June 2022. The radio host never shied away from speaking highly of Suzanne on social media.

Monson shared a lengthy post on their 30th anniversary in 2017, stressing the importance of choosing one's spouse well and praising his wife in this regard. "If you choose poorly, it can wipeout all the good in your life. But if you choose well, it can help you overcome anything and everything negative that life throws at you," he wrote. "It is the decision of who you want to share the rest of your life with. I know that God certainly smiled on me when he brought an angel into my life," Monson added.

In another social media post in 2016, Monson looked back at his first date with Suzanne. "33 years and one month ago, my wife and I had our first date when I picked her up at the AGD house at the UW for a sorority dance. Saturday, we paused at the same place to congratulate our daughter (the middle of three AGD daughters) - as we celebrated her UW graduation. My goodness, time flies by!!" the loving husband and doting dad wrote.

Dori Monson Controversies

Monson, the host of the politically oriented talk show on KIRO-FM radio, was suspended indefinitely by the Seattle Seahawks and Bonneville communications in October 2022 following a transphobic tweet he posted during the Washington gubernatorial debate.

His tweet was in response to Gov. Jay Inslee describing Washington as a "science-oriented" state. In a since-deleted tweet, Monson wrote, "Inslee: we follow science in WA. The state where I could go to Olympia tomorrow and change my birth (certificate) to say I was a girl on 10/2/61," along with "HAHAHAHA."

Weeks later, he was back on the air with an apology. "They said I was making fun of transgender people, which honest to goodness didn't even cross my mind then. But people called me transphobic. The Seattle Times called me transphobic. Websites called me transphobic. The truth is, I couldn't care less if an adult wants to adopt a different gender. At the time, I was commenting on our governor and changing official state documents," he said. "As a Christian, I pray for forgiveness if my words caused you pain. On top of that, I'm praying that each of us uses diversity of thought to get to greater strength."

Tributes Pour In For The Late Radio Host

Friends and fans of the late talk show host posted their heartfelt tribute on social media.

"The night I first met Dori Monson, I didn't know how to feel. We disagreed on EVERYTHING... But he was so sweet to me. I went home and said "wait Dori is so kind..." We knew we didn't agree, but he treated me with respect. He was a good man. Thinking of his beautiful family," a Twitter user wrote.

"Dori Monson was a champion for those who expect better of our state and our nation. Those who believe the government should be accountable to the people. Those who trusted a boy from the mean streets of Ballard to tell the truth," tweeted another.

"I don't have words tonight but I do have endless prayers for @dorimonson wife Suzanne & his amazing girls & family. He loved them with that gigantic heart of his And for his remarkable audience that followed him for three decades he loved you too. 1st Thess. 4:14. Love you Dori," tweeted former NFLer and football analyst Brock Huard.