He was the Press Secretary for the President (i.e. he held a government job).
Which IIRC paid him about $187,000.00+expenses+full health care for him and his family per year. I believe at the beginning he said he took a "cut in pay" to take the gig. Also, IIRC he quit the gubmint job after 17 months to "take care of his family financially" as his reason - he was quite clear that Presidential press secretary didn't pay enough and he had taken out a loan to help finance his gig while there. He moved on from this gig to one that paid and/or had better benies. The stated "cancer" gig with Ferraro, I guess. Non-profits really raise a lot of money, you know.
I'm really sorry that he couldn't find it possible to take care of his kids financially the way Rush thought he should. But unfortunately, that's life!
I think I'll go make another "donation" to my grandchildren's college fund in memory of Tony.