Ted Turner, the bold entrepreneur who reshaped television with the launch of the first 24-hour news network and built a far-reaching media empire, has died at 87.
His passing was confirmed by his company, which said he died peacefully surrounded by family. Turner Enterprises shared in a statement: “On behalf of the Turner family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of philanthropist, environmentalist and cable pioneer Ted Turner who died peacefully today at age 87, surrounded by his family … He is survived by his five children – Laura Turner Seydel (Rutherford), Robert E. (Teddy) Turner IV (Blair), Rhett Turner, Beau Turner (Georgia), Jennie Turner Garlington (Peek), fourteen
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family has requested privacy during this time as they grieve the death of their beloved patriarch. A private family service is planned, and a public memorial will be held at a later date, with details to follow.” Turner revealed in 2018 that he had been living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder that affected his memory in later years.
President Trump reacted to Turner’s death with a post on Truth Social, writing: “Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died … one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause!”
Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati and raised in Savannah, Georgia, he briefly attended Brown University before joining the Coast Guard Reserve. After his father’s death, he took over the family advertising business and transformed it into a global operation, laying the foundation for his future in media. In the 1970s, Turner made a pivotal move by acquiring a struggling Atlanta television station and turning it into a nationwide “superstation” via satellite—a breakthrough that helped redefine cable broadcasting. He followed that innovation with the launch of CNN in 1980, driven by a simple idea: continuous news coverage.
CNN quickly proved its value by delivering live coverage of major global events, changing how audiences consumed news. Turner expanded aggressively, creating additional networks including CNN International, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies, while also acquiring film libraries that became key programming assets.
In a statement, CNN chief Mark Thompson said, “Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” adding that Turner’s influence remains central to the network’s identity.
Beyond television, Turner ventured into sports, purchasing the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks. Under his ownership, the Braves captured the 1995 World Series. He also entered professional wrestling with World Championship Wrestling, which later became a major rival in the industry. In 1996, Turner Broadcasting merged with Time Warner in a landmark deal, followed by the high-profile AOL-Time Warner merger in 2001.
His interests extended far beyond media. An accomplished sailor, he won the America’s Cup in 1977. He also became one of the largest private landowners in the U.S., dedicating vast acreage to conservation and building the country’s largest private herd of bison. In 2002, he launched a restaurant chain centered on sustainable bison cuisine.
Turner’s philanthropic impact was equally significant. He established the Turner Foundation to support environmental causes and pledged $1 billion to the United Nations, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation. He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative to reduce global security risks. Over his lifetime, Turner received numerous honors, including Time magazine’s “Man of the Year” and a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to broadcasting.
Turner was married three times, including a high-profile relationship with actress Jane Fonda, whom he later described as a lasting love: “When you love somebody, and you really love ’em, you never stop loving ’em.” He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A private service is planned, with a public memorial to follow.
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