CNN Founder Ted Turner Passes at 87

Ted Turner, the visionary media mogul who fundamentally reshaped global news and entertainment with the founding of CNN, passed today at 87 years old. Turner Enterprises confirmed his death on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The cause of death was not immediately released, though Turner had publicly disclosed in 2018 that he was battling Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. Turner's life was a testament to audacious ambition and transformative innovation.

Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he inherited his father's billboard business in 1963 and, through sheer force of will and a keen business sense, transformed it into a media empire. His most enduring legacy is CNN, the world's first 24-hour cable news network, launched in 1980. This groundbreaking venture revolutionized journalism, providing instant global coverage of events as they unfolded and ushering in an era of immediate information access that presaged the digital age. Beyond CNN, Turner's influence extended across the media landscape. He founded WTBS, which pioneered the "superstation" concept, and launched Turner Network Television (TNT). His media conglomerate, Turner Broadcasting System, also acquired major sports franchises, including the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks, transforming the Braves into "America's Team" through extensive national broadcasts. In the mid-1990s, Turner Broadcasting expanded into film production with the acquisition of Castle Rock Entertainment and New Line Cinema.

In 1996, Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner Inc. in a deal valued at $7.5 billion, creating a global media powerhouse. Turner was also a significant philanthropist, dedicating substantial resources to causes he championed. He founded the Turner Foundation in 1990, focusing on environmental issues and population growth control. His most significant philanthropic act was a historic $1 billion pledge to the United Nations, which led to the establishment of the United Nations Foundation in 1998. Through these initiatives, Turner aimed to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and nuclear proliferation. He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in 2001, working to reduce the threat of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Turner's life was marked by his bold personality, earning him nicknames like "Mouth of the South" and "Captain Outrageous." He was married three times, most notably to actress Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001. He is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. At the time of his death, Ted Turner's net worth was estimated to be between $2.2 billion and $2.8 billion, a fortune built on media ventures and vast landholdings, making him one of the largest private landowners in North America. CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as "the presiding spirit of CNN," adding, "Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand." His pioneering spirit and relentless drive left an indelible mark on the media industry and the world.