Ted Turner, the outspoken American businessman who transformed television journalism by creating the world’s first 24 hour news network, has died at the age of 87.
- +Ted Turner, CNN founder and media pioneer of 24 hours news, 1938–2026
Turner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, surrounded by family, according to CNN, the global broadcaster he founded and built into a defining force in modern media.
Turner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, surrounded by family, according to CNN, the global broadcaster he founded and built into a defining force in modern media.
His death closes the chapter on one of the most disruptive careers in the history of broadcasting, a career driven by instinct, risk and a belief that the public needed constant access to information.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1938, Turner rose from personal tragedy and a modest family advertising business to become one of the most influential figures in global media. His defining moment came on June 1, 1980, when he launched CNN, a then radical experiment that broke from the traditional schedule of evening bulletins and instead delivered news around the clock.
Many in the industry dismissed the idea as unrealistic. Turner did not.
“I worked until 7 o’clock, and when I got home the news was over,” he once said, in remarks cited by CNN. “So I missed television news completely. And I figured there were lots of people like me.”
That simple observation reshaped the industry. CNN would go on to redefine how audiences experienced major global events, from wars to elections, turning viewers into real time witnesses of history.
According to CNN, Mark Thompson, CNN chairman and chief executive, described Turner as “an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” adding that “he was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN.” Beyond news, Turner built a sprawling media empire that included entertainment and sports. He pioneered the concept of the television superstation, expanded into film and cartoons, and owned major sports franchises including the Atlanta Braves.
Yet his ambitions stretched beyond business. Turner became one of the most prominent philanthropists of his generation, pledging one billion dollars to support the United Nations and establishing the United Nations Foundation. He also campaigned for nuclear disarmament and environmental conservation, even backing projects to restore bison populations in North America.
His personal life was marked by both success and upheaval. He endured a difficult childhood and the early loss of his father, an event that thrust him into leadership of the family business at just 24. He later married actor Jane Fonda, with their high profile relationship lasting a decade before ending in divorce.
In later years, Turner stepped back from corporate leadership following the merger of Time Warner and AOL, a deal that eroded much of his fortune and influence. Still, he remained closely associated with CNN, often describing it as the greatest achievement of his life.
He was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2018, a progressive condition that affected his health in his final years.
Turner is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
His legacy, however, extends far beyond family or fortune. He changed the rhythm of global news, proving that information need not wait for a fixed hour and that audiences everywhere would watch if given the chance.
In doing so, Ted Turner did not just build a network. He altered the way the world sees itself in real time.
