Ted Turner, the bold entrepreneur who reshaped modern broadcasting by launching CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network, has died at 87. A statement from Turner Enterprises said he passed away peacefully on Wednesday with family by his side.
Born in Ohio but rooted in Atlanta’s business scene, Turner earned a reputation as a blunt, larger-than-life figure, often called “The Mouth of the South.” His ventures stretched far beyond a single channel. He built a media portfolio that included cable’s first superstation, entertainment networks dedicated to films and cartoons, and ownership stakes in major sports franchises such as the Atlanta Braves.
His influence was not limited to media. Turner gained global recognition as a competitive yachtsman, a major philanthropist behind the United Nations Foundation, and a vocal advocate for nuclear disarmament. His environmental efforts were equally significant, from large-scale land conservation to helping restore bison populations across the American West. He also reached younger audiences through the creation of the Captain Planet cartoon, using entertainment to promote environmental awareness.
What ultimately defined Turner’s legacy, however, was his insistence that news should be constant, immediate, and global. The concept of round-the-clock reporting was initially met with skepticism, but once it proved viable, it transformed how audiences consumed information.
That impact was formally recognized in 1991 when Time magazine named him Man of the Year for “influencing the dynamic of events and turning viewers in 150 countries into instant witnesses of history.”
Turner later sold his media holdings to Time Warner and stepped away from day-to-day operations, though he remained closely tied to CNN’s legacy. He often described the network as the “greatest achievement” of his life.
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.”
In 2018, just weeks before turning 80, Turner disclosed that he had Lewy body dementia, a degenerative neurological condition. He faced additional health challenges in early 2025 when he was treated for a mild case of pneumonia and later recovered at a rehabilitation facility.
He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
