CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies At 87
Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who founded CNN and helped revolutionize television news, has died at the age of 87.
Turner reportedly died Wednesday at his home near Tallahassee, Florida. The legendary businessman revealed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disease.
Widely credited with creating the modern 24-hour news cycle, Turner launched CNN in 1980, forever changing how news was consumed around the world. He also built major cable brands including TNT and TBS, helping shape both news and entertainment television for decades.
CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson praised Turner’s legacy in a statement, calling him “intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch.” Thompson added that Turner “was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN.”
President Donald Trump also reacted to Turner’s death, describing him as “one of the Greats of All Time” and praising his impact on broadcasting. Trump lamented what he described as CNN’s transformation after Turner sold the network, saying the outlet had lost the credibility and spirit its founder originally envisioned.
Born in Ohio and based for much of his career in Atlanta, Turner became known as “The Mouth of the South” because of his outspoken personality and larger-than-life public image. Beyond television, he built a sprawling sports and business empire that included ownership of the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hawks, and professional hockey interests.
Turner purchased the Braves in 1976 and helped transform the struggling franchise into a national brand often referred to as “America’s Team.” Under his ownership, the club eventually captured the 1995 World Series championship.
Outside of media and sports, Turner was deeply involved in environmental conservation and philanthropy. Through Turner Enterprises, he accumulated more than two million acres of ranch land across several western states and donated $1 billion to establish the United Nations Foundation.
Turner also left a lasting mark on professional wrestling and cable entertainment. Through TNT, he launched WCW Monday Nitro, igniting the famous “Monday Night Wars” with WWE during the 1990s.
One of the more unusual stories from Turner’s career involved the creation of CNN’s so-called “Doomsday Video,” a final broadcast prepared in the event of global catastrophe. The clip featured military bands performing the hymn “Nearer, My God, To Thee” and became one of the most famous behind-the-scenes legends in television history.
Turner was married three times, including to actress Jane Fonda. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.