CNN Founder and Media Legend Ted Turner Passes Away at 87 – Fans Remember His Extraordinary Legacy

For millions of people around the world, the businessman and television producer was more than a media executive. He was the architect of 24-hour news and one of the boldest personalities television had ever seen.

Ted Turner transformed television forever with the launch of CNN and spent decades shaping media, conservation, and philanthropy. Following his death at 87, fans are remembering the fearless mogul behind one of history's biggest broadcasting revolutions.

Ted Turner Dies at 87 After Long Health Battle

The businessman, philanthropist, conservationist, and broadcasting pioneer has died at the age of 87 after a long battle with Lewy body dementia. This is a progressive brain disorder often associated with memory and cognitive decline.

In 2018, shortly before his 80th birthday, Turner publicly revealed that he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. The condition is considered the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

Earlier in 2025, Turner battled a mild case of pneumonia and was hospitalized at a rehabilitation facility in Florida. He later recovered fully from the illness before ultimately succumbing to complications connected to his declining health.

Turner was born on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Robert Edward Turner Jr. and Florence Turner (née Rooney). Although his career eventually made him one of the most recognizable media moguls in the world, his path began far away from television studios and cable newsrooms.

How Ted Turner Built a Media Empire

At the age of nine, Turner's family relocated to Savannah, Georgia, where his father pursued a career in billboard advertising. Turner later attended the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the age of 12.

He then continued his education at Brown University and eventually served in the U.S. Coast Guard. After leaving Brown, Turner joined his father's billboard business, Turner Advertising Company.

Following his father's death, he took over as president and quickly expanded the company. His ambitions soon moved beyond billboards.

Turner acquired five radio stations across the Southeast. He eventually sold them, purchasing Atlanta television station Channel 17, which he renamed WTCG — short for Turner Communications Group.

One of Turner's smartest early decisions was acquiring the rights to broadcast Atlanta Braves baseball games, dramatically increasing viewership and helping transform the station into a national cable powerhouse. The station later became WTBS and competed with NBC and CBS. But even that was only the beginning.

CNN Changed Television Forever

In 1980, Turner launched the Cable News Network — better known simply as CNN. The move shocked the television industry. At the time, the idea of a 24-hour news channel sounded risky and unrealistic to many executives. Turner ignored the doubts and moved forward anyway.

The gamble paid off. CNN became the world's first live, nonstop global news network and permanently changed how audiences consumed information. Turner later described CNN as the "greatest achievement" of his life, even after eventually selling his networks to Time Warner and exiting the business.

Following news of his death, CNN executives and anchors paid tribute to the man who made their careers possible. "Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless, and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement," CNN Worldwide chairman and CEO Mark Thompson said.

Thompson also described Turner as the enduring force behind CNN, noting that his influence continues to shape the network and the people working there. He acknowledged Turner's lasting impact on both the media industry and the wider world.

Wolf Blitzer also honored Turner during a live broadcast. "A legend, he revolutionized the television business by creating the first 24-hour news channel right here at CNN," Blitzer declared. Pamela Brown, Blitzer's co-anchor, added, "We're all here doing this because of Ted."

And longtime CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour reflected on Turner's vision. "He was the original. He made us all proud, he made us all hopeful, and he made us all strive for his vision of a better world," she said.

Donald Trump Shares Tribute to Ted Turner

President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Turner in a statement shared on Truth Social. "Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the Deal because the new ownership took CNN, his 'baby,' and destroyed it. It became woke, and everything that he is not all about," Trump wrote.

He shared his wish that the new buyers of the company would be able to restore its lost credibility and glory. Trump also remembered Turner personally. "Regardless, however, one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause!" he divulged.

His Final Public Appearances Became Increasingly Rare

As Turner's health declined, he gradually stepped away from public life. One of his final documented appearances took place in July 2021 during Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's 75th wedding anniversary celebration in Plains, Georgia.

Photos from the event showed Turner arriving in a black suit with assistance as he made his way to his seat. His final major public appearance later came during celebrations for his 85th birthday in 2023. By then, Turner had largely remained out of the spotlight while managing the effects of Lewy body dementia.

Ted Turner Also Became a Major Conservationist and Philanthropist

Although many people knew Turner for CNN, his impact extended far beyond television. At the time of his death, Turner ranked among the largest private landowners in the United States, coming in at number four.

Turner owned more than two million acres across the Southeast, Great Plains, and the American West. Environmental conservation became one of his biggest passions later in life.

Protecting these properties and the wildlife living on them remained a top priority for Turner. Hence, he put measures in place to ensure the lands stay preserved after his death, with restrictions aimed at preventing future development and subdivision.

Additionally, until his passing, Turner was the co-chairman of Turner Enterprises, Inc. (TEI) with offices in Atlanta and Bozeman. The company managed extensive ranchlands and a massive 45,000-head bison herd.

Turner, a longtime proponent of clean energy sources, also invested heavily in renewable energy through Turner Renewable Energy, which partnered on major solar projects.

He additionally became one of the most significant philanthropists of his era. In 1997, Turner stunned the world by pledging $1 billion to support United Nations causes, one of the largest charitable donations ever made at the time.

Turner explained that the donation would be used to create a nonprofit foundation supporting initiatives focused on refugees, children, land mine removal, and disease prevention. He shared the news while accepting the Global Leadership Award from the United Nations Association of the United States of America.

Ted Turner Received Numerous Honors Throughout His Career

Turner received widespread recognition throughout his career, earning 48 honorary degrees and being named TIME's 1991 Man of the Year. His honors also included inductions into the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Cable Television Hall of Fame, and Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame.

He was also accorded the United Nations Global Leadership Award and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for both sports and news/documentary programming.

He also collected multiple Peabody Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among many other distinctions.

His Personal Life Included Family, Fame, and Jane Fonda

Turner was married three times and had five children. His first marriage to Judy Nye resulted in two children: Laura Lee and Robert Edward IV. He later married Jane Smith, with whom he had three more children: Rhett Lee, Reed Beauregard, and Sara Jean.

In 1991, Turner famously married actress Jane Fonda. Although the marriage ended after 10 years, the two remained close friends. Fonda once jokingly referred to him as "My favorite ex-husband!"

She later said she still has a good relationship with Turner, adding, "Life is too short to be fighting. The actress also described Turner as "outrageous and hysterically funny."

Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by both parents, a sister, and one grandchild.

Fans Remember Ted Turner as a Visionary

As news of Turner's death spread, fans flooded social media with emotional tributes celebrating both his media legacy and humanitarian work. Some focused on his environmental activism and generosity.

One supporter wrote, "People like Ted, who care for the earth, will be missed and blessed." Others reflected on his groundbreaking career in television. "A bold visionary and creative genius who understood TV viewers more than anyone else!" another admirer commented.

Many tributes were simple but heartfelt. "Rest on, hero. You made the world a better place," one person penned. More fans highlighted his compassion, "His legacy is one of philanthropy and looking out for the least of us. He was a great man and will be remembered as such."

Another emotional tribute read, "He had such a positive impact on the country and the world, and will be forever and deeply missed ❤️. May his light forever shine on us! RIP Ted❤️."

A Legacy That Changed Media Forever

Ted Turner was known for many things, including his blunt communication style, humor, and strong loyalty to those close to him. Despite his fame and achievements, he was often described as approachable and down-to-earth.

He frequently encouraged people to call him "Ted" instead of "Mr. Turner." That phrase later inspired the title of his 2008 autobiography and the 2024 HBO Max docuseries, "Call Me Ted."

Above all, Turner changed the media landscape forever. The idea of nonstop global news once sounded impossible. Turner made it a reality.

Even decades later, the influence of CNN — and the blueprint Turner created — continues shaping how the world watches history unfold in real time.