The essential Garrison Keillor timeline

1965: Wed to Mary Guntzel. Son, Jason, is born in 1969. They divorce in 1976.

1966: Graduates from University of Minnesota, where he starts his radio career at what's now known as Radio K.

1974: First broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" from Macalester College in St. Paul.

1979: First national live broadcast, from University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium.

1985: Makes the cover of Time magazine. Marries Ulla Skaerved, a Dane who was an exchange student when he attended Anoka High School.

1987: Broadcasts what he says is the final "PHC." Moves to Denmark with his wife to focus on writing.

1989: Launches new variety series, "The American Radio Company of the Air," based in New York City.

1992: Brings the show back to St. Paul. Reclaims "Prairie Home" title the following year.

1994: Inducted into Radio Hall of Fame.

1995: Marries Minnesota Opera violist Jenny Lind Nilsson. They have a daughter, Maia.

1999: Marks the show's silver anniversary with a five-CD set of monologues and music.

2001: Undergoes open-heart surgery at Mayo Clinic.

2006: Opens Common Good Books in St. Paul.

2009: Suffers minor stroke. Returns to work a few days later.

2011: Relinquishes hosting duties for the first time, handing the baton to frequent guest Sara Watkins.

2015: Says he'll step down as host, announces Chris Thile as successor.

July 1, 2016: President Obama phones in for his final "PHC" at the Hollywood Bowl.