CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87

CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87

Media entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner, founder of CNN and one of the most influential figures in modern broadcasting, has died at the age of 87. He died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by family, according to a statement from Turner Enterprises, which confirmed his passing.

Born in Ohio and later based in Atlanta, Turner began his career at age 24 after taking over his father’s billboard advertising company following his death. From there, he expanded into radio and television, purchasing an Atlanta television station in 1970 and transforming it into a national “superstation” by 1976.

Turner’s business growth set the stage for his most defining achievement. On June 1, 1980, he launched the Cable News Network (CNN), the world’s first 24-hour television news channel. Despite early doubts about continuous news coverage, CNN quickly transformed global journalism, especially during major events such as the 1990 Gulf War, when its live reporting demonstrated the power of round-the-clock broadcasting.

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Over time, CNN expanded into multiple networks including CNN International and HLN, while Turner also built a wider media empire with channels such as TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. CNN executives have described him as a fearless visionary whose ideas permanently reshaped global news reporting.

Beyond journalism, Turner built a major sports and entertainment empire. He acquired professional teams including the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks and invested heavily in sports broadcasting rights, helping expand the reach of televised sports in the United States.

Turner also became widely recognised for his philanthropic and environmental work. He founded the United Nations Foundation and pledged $1 billion to support UN programmes. He also launched environmental initiatives, including efforts to reintroduce bison to parts of the United States, and became one of the largest private land conservationists in North America. His animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers further promoted environmental awareness.

In 1991, Turner was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year in recognition of his global media influence. He sold his media empire to Time Warner in 1996 and later stepped back from corporate leadership following the AOL-Time Warner merger.

Turner later revealed in 2018 that he had Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition. He also recovered from a mild case of pneumonia in early 2025. He is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Tributes have described him as a transformational figure whose vision changed how the world consumes news. Turner himself once said CNN was “the greatest achievement of my life,” underscoring the lasting impact of his work on global media.

CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87