Ted Turner Dies: CNN Founder and Cable Pioneer Was 87
Ted Turner death 2026
Ted Turner, the flamboyant entrepreneur and media visionary who fundamentally altered the global news landscape by founding CNN, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the age of 87. Turner Enterprises confirmed his passing in an official statement, noting that the pioneer died peacefully at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by his family.
Turner had been living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder he publicly disclosed in 2018. His death marks the conclusion of a career that spanned decades and included the creation of the first 24-hour cable news network, the founding of several major television channels, and record-breaking philanthropic efforts.
Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner rose to prominence after taking over his father’s billboard business and eventually building it into a vast media empire. In 1980, he launched the Cable News Network, an ambitious project that upended traditional broadcast models by providing non-stop, around-the-clock news coverage.
Beyond CNN, his Turner Broadcasting System pioneered the “superstation” concept with WTBS and launched influential networks including TNT, TCM, and Cartoon Network. Known by nicknames such as “The Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous,” Turner was also a celebrated sportsman, winning the America’s Cup in 1977 and owning the Atlanta Braves during their 1995 World Series championship season.
Turner’s impact extended far beyond the media industry through his extensive environmental and humanitarian work. As one of the largest private landowners in the United States, he was a dedicated conservationist, famously working to restore bison populations across his vast western ranches. In 1997, he made international headlines by pledging a historic $1 billion gift to the United Nations, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation.
Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, described Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” noting that his intrepid spirit and willingness to trust his own judgment forever changed how the world consumes information. Turner is survived by his five children and numerous grandchildren, with a private memorial service planned for a later date.
