Ted Turner, the visionary entrepreneur who founded CNN and revolutionised global news by creating the first 24-hour television news network, has died at the age of 87. Turner Enterprises confirmed in a statement that he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by loved ones. “On behalf of the Turner family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of philanthropist, environmentalist and cable pioneer Ted Turner,” the statement read. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but he had been in declining health for some time.
Turner was a towering figure in American media whose influence extended far beyond the newsroom. After launching CNN in 1980 from an Atlanta mansion that served as its first headquarters, he built Turner Broadcasting System into a sprawling empire that included TNT, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. His creation of the world’s first live, round-the-clock news channel fundamentally altered the pace and nature of journalism, earning him the nickname “The Mouth of the South” and a place among the most consequential media figures of the twentieth century. CNN’s coverage of the Gulf War in 1991 cemented its status as a global news force and vindicated Turner’s bet that audiences craved continuous, live coverage of unfolding events.
His interests ranged far beyond broadcasting. A passionate environmentalist, Turner preserved more than two million acres of land across the United States, making him one of the largest private landowners in the country. He donated over one billion dollars to philanthropic causes, much of it channelled through the United Nations Foundation, which he established with a landmark gift in 1997. He also promoted sustainable agriculture through his restaurant chain, Ted’s Montana Grill, which specialised in bison meat. His family noted that despite his immense wealth and fame, he preferred to be addressed simply as “Ted,” reflecting what they described as his approachable nature.
Turner’s personal life was as colourful as his professional one. He was a champion sailor who won the America’s Cup in 1977, was briefly married to actress Jane Fonda, and was known for his unpredictable public remarks and intense competitiveness. He lost control of Turner Broadcasting after its merger with Time Warner in 1996, and later saw much of his fortune diminished, but his legacy as a pioneer who reshaped how the world consumes news remains undiminished. He is survived by his five children, Laura Turner Seydel, Robert E. Turner IV, Rhett Turner, Beau Turner and Jennie Turner Garlington, as well as 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family said a private service would take place, with details of a public memorial to be announced later.
