Many on the right looked to him for source value. David Horowitz, the founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, died at age 86 after a long battle with cancer. Horowitz, who was born in Queens to teachers and attended Columbia and UC Berkeley, went from being a Marxist to a prominent conservative thinker.
From Radical Left to Conservative Voice
Born on January 10, 1939, in Queens, New York, to high school teachers Phil and Blanche Horowitz, David Horowitz began his intellectual journey at Columbia University before earning his graduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. His early life was shaped by Marxist ideology, making his eventual transformation into one of America’s most vocal conservative advocates all the more remarkable. This political evolution defined Horowitz’s career and formed the foundation of his extensive writings that challenged progressive narratives and advocated for traditional American values and institutions.
The announcement of his passing came from the David Horowitz Freedom Center, the conservative think tank he founded. The organization has been instrumental in promoting Horowitz’s views and providing a platform for conservative thought in America. Throughout his career, Horowitz was unafraid of controversy, frequently speaking on college campuses despite opposition from left-wing groups. His uncompromising stance against communism and what he described as “anti-American lies” made him both a celebrated figure in conservative circles and a target for progressive critics.
All of us at PragerU mourn the passing of David Horowitz.
David’s influence on the conservative movement was profound and will be long lasting. So many people and organizations owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. PragerU is certainly included in that group. May his memory… pic.twitter.com/zoPf03WFMp
— PragerU (@prageru) April 30, 2025
Family Ties and Presidential Support
Horowitz leaves behind a family legacy that spans both the political and business worlds. His son, Benjamin Horowitz, achieved notable success as the co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The younger Horowitz shared an obituary highlighting his father’s relationship with President Donald Trump, revealing a personal connection between the conservative commentator and the former president. This connection underscores Horowitz’s influence within conservative political circles during the Trump administration and beyond.
“President Trump’s face immediately lit up, and he insisted that Benjamin get David on the phone immediately. Hospitalized and weak, David was still delighted to speak with the president”.
Horowitz is survived by his wife, April Mullvain, and three of his children: Benjamin, Jonathan, and Anne. His daughter Sarah Rose passed away in 2008, adding a note of personal tragedy to his life story. Following his death, his son left a heartfelt message that read simply, “Rest in peace to my father. We love you, Dad.” The family’s obituary described Horowitz as someone who “helped countless people and expended every fiber of his being pushing society towards freedom,” reflecting the passionate commitment that defined his public life.
The World Lost a Warrior Today: Rest in Power, David Horowitz
Today, we mourn the loss of one of the fiercest defenders of truth and freedom—David Horowitz, founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center and FrontPage Magazine. After a relentless battle with cancer, he passed away… pic.twitter.com/VpEyiAOdzZ
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) April 30, 2025
Literary Legacy and Final Message
Among Horowitz’s extensive bibliography, he considered his book “America Betrayed” particularly significant. In what became one of his final public messages, he urged Americans to read this work, which he described as refuting “every anti-American lie of the left.” Horowitz specifically challenged the notion that America was founded as a racist or white supremacist nation, a perspective that has put him at odds with progressive historians and social justice advocates but resonated strongly with his conservative audience.
“Of all the books I have written, *America Betrayed* is the one I would like every American to read. In 60-plus pages it refutes every anti-American lie of the left, principally that America was ever a racist or white supremacist nation. Africans, not Americans, enslaved black…” Horowitz
The David Horowitz Freedom Center’s announcement of his passing marked the end of a controversial yet impactful career spanning decades. In their statement, they expressed profound sadness at the loss of their founder, whose vision had guided the organization’s mission. Tributes from conservative figures across social media platforms demonstrate the reach of Horowitz’s influence and the respect he commanded among those who shared his political outlook. Whether viewed as a principled defender of American values or a divisive provocateur, Horowitz’s passing represents the loss of one of conservatism’s most distinctive voices.