Ted Turner, CNN and TNT Visionary, Dies at 87

Ted Turner, the pioneering media executive who reshaped the television landscape, has died at 87. He passed away on Wednesday, May 6, with family members present, according to Turner Enterprises.

The specific cause of his death has not been released. However, Turner disclosed approximately eight years prior that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition affecting cognitive function and various bodily systems.

Throughout his career, Turner earned colorful monikers—"Mouth of the South," "Captain Outrageous," and "Terrible Ted" among them—reflecting his bold, unconventional approach to business and media.

His most transformative contribution to broadcasting came in 1980 when he established CNN, which pioneered round-the-clock cable news coverage. He later founded TNT, expanding his influence across the entertainment landscape. Beyond media, Turner made significant philanthropic commitments, including a $1 billion donation in 1998 to establish the United Nations Foundation. He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative in 2001, an organization focused on diminishing global dependence on nuclear weapons.

Turner's reach extended into sports and entertainment. He owned the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. He created the Goodwill Games during the 1980s and launched WCW wrestling in 1988.

His personal life included three marriages: to Judy Nye (1960-1964), Jane Shirley Smith (1965-1988), and actress Jane Fonda (1991-2001). He fathered five children.

At the time of his passing, Forbes valued his net worth at $2.8 billion.

Turner leaves behind a legacy that fundamentally altered how news is delivered and consumed globally.