Ted Turner, Founder of CNN and Media Innovator, Dies at 87

Key facts

• Ted Turner, founder of CNN, died Wednesday at age 87.
• He launched CNN in 1980 as the first 24-hour cable news network.
• Turner donated $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation, which he founded in 1998.
• He also established the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a global security organization.
• In 2018, Turner disclosed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.
• He was named Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1991.
• Turner Broadcasting System was sold to Time Warner Inc. in the 1990s.

A Giant of Television News Passes

Ted Turner, the towering figure who fundamentally reshaped television news with the creation of CNN, has died. He was 87. His death was confirmed by his family and announced by CNN on Wednesday, citing a statement from Turner Enterprises. Turner’s legacy is inextricably linked to the 24-hour news network he launched in 1980, a bold venture that transformed how the world consumed information. He was a pioneer, a visionary who saw the potential of cable television to deliver news instantly and continuously to a global audience. Mark Thompson, the chair and CEO of CNN Worldwide, memorialized Turner as a "presiding spirit" of the network, describing him as an "intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless, and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgment."

From Billboard Business to Global Network

Born Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 1938, his path to media mogul was far from conventional. After attending military boarding school and Brown University, from which he was expelled, Turner took over his father’s faltering billboard advertising business. His father had died by suicide amid financial difficulties, a tragedy that profoundly shaped the young Turner. His early ventures included acquiring radio stations, but his pivotal move into television occurred in 1970 with the purchase of a struggling Atlanta station. This acquisition would become the cornerstone of what grew into the Turner Broadcasting System. By 1980, fueled by the profits from his burgeoning media empire, Turner launched CNN. The network's timing coincided with a significant shift in viewership from broadcast to cable, and its live coverage, particularly during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, cemented its role as a crucial global news source.

An Empire Built on Instinct and Ambition

Turner's ambition extended beyond news. His media group eventually encompassed sports, entertainment, and even the MGM/UA movie studio. The culmination of this expansion was the 1996 merger of Turner Broadcasting System with Time Warner Inc., a deal that positioned him as a leading shareholder and head of the new company's cable networks division. However, the transition to a corporate structure proved challenging for the entrepreneur who had spent decades running his own show. His career was marked by audacious business deals, ownership of professional sports teams, and a high-profile marriage to actor Jane Fonda. Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia, where CNN's main studio is located, remembered Turner as a "bold man, entrepreneur, and philanthropist," acknowledging that even those who disagreed with him "respected him."

Philanthropy and Global Security Advocacy

Beyond his media ventures, Ted Turner was a dedicated philanthropist whose commitment to global well-being was substantial. In 1998, he founded the United Nations Foundation, an organization aimed at demonstrating the value of investing in the UN, fostering new partnerships, and promoting strong U.S. leadership at the international body. His philanthropic efforts were underscored by a record $1 billion donation to the UN, a testament to his belief in its mission. The foundation stated that his goals were to encourage new partners and promote U.S. engagement. Furthermore, Turner established the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on reducing global security risks posed by nuclear, biological, and emerging technological threats to humanity. His work in this arena highlighted a deep concern for the planet's future.

A Public Life Marked by Recognition and Health Challenges

Turner's influence on global events and public discourse earned him significant recognition. In 1991, Time magazine named him its Man of the Year, citing his impact on "the dynamic of events and turning viewers in 150 countries into instant witnesses of history." In his later years, Turner faced health challenges. In September 2018, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. He was also briefly hospitalized in 2025 for a mild case of pneumonia. Ted Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His death marks the end of an era for American media and global philanthropy.

The bottom line

• Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a transformative figure in media, died at 87.
• He pioneered 24-hour cable news with CNN's launch in 1980.
• Turner was a significant philanthropist, founding the UN Foundation and donating $1 billion to the UN.
• He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative to address global security risks.
• The media mogul announced in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.
• His career spanned from his father's billboard business to a vast media empire, culminating in the sale of Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner.