A statement from his wife Elizabeth to US media said she was "profoundly sad and heartbroken", calling him a "patriot".
"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.
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"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."
Ailes ran Fox News since it launched in 1996, turning it into a ratings hit and hugely influential voice in the US political landscape.
But he stepped down in 2016 amid allegations of harassment against him, including by a former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. Her lawsuit was settled last September for an unspecified amount, though media reports said Carlson was to receive $US20 million ($A27 million).
He once served as a media adviser to former US President Richard Nixon, later serving advising Donald Trump during his campaign last year.
